Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Maplewood Lodge

The odd fellows came to America in the early 1800’s by Thomas Wadley in the Baltimore area. At the time of his death in 1861, there were more than 200,000 members of the independent order of Odd Fellows across North America. The founders were three boat builders, a comedian and vocalist – befitting the name“Odd Fellows.”The command of the IOOF is to visit the sick, relieve the distress, bury the dead and educate the orphan. Specifically, today are dedicated to the following purposes:• To improve and elevate the character of mankind by promoting the principles of friendship, love, truth, faith, hope, charity, and universal justice.• To help make the world a better place to live by aiding each other, the community, the less fortunate, the youth, the elderly, the environment, and the community in every way possible.• To promote good will and harmony amongst peoples and nations through the principle of universal fraternity, holding the belief that all men and women regardless of race, nationality, religion, social status, gender, rank, and station are brothers and sisters.