12/09/2025
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your generous donation and for attending this year’s Independent Order of Odd Fellows Grand Lodge of Maryland event in support of the Arthritis Foundation.
This year, the Arthritis Foundation Committee focused on providing education, good food, and fun while we raised funds. I am pleased to share that we raised approximately $700 at our small event, including donations made through the Arthritis Foundation online portal. We anticipate that additional Lodges will submit their contributions to the Grand Lodge by the end of the year.
Education
We learned about arthritis, its many forms, and the importance of local advocacy, programs, and individuals who support and assist those living with arthritis.
Food
We enjoyed a wonderful, arthritis-friendly, anti-inflammatory meal that included marinated lamb with jasmine rice, cauliflower rice, chicken gyros, vegetable wraps, Mediterranean salad, cucumber salad, hummus, olives, and yogurt with fruit, nuts, and honey.
For additional ideas, here is an Arthritis Foundation recipe booklet with more inflammation-friendly recipes (PDF):
Taming Inflammation Recipe Book:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NT5U1PBBoc0UUAu8smEofelBMbZpf14O/view?usp=drivesdk
Fun
Staying active is another key strategy for keeping arthritis pain under control. Please join the I.O.O.F. Maryland Jingle Bell Team, a fun event that encourages movement while helping the Arthritis Foundation continue its vital work. Join us, wear your bells, and bring a friend!
You can sign up or send a message here:
https://events.arthritis.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=messages.compose
Thank you once again for your support.
See you at the Jingle Bell event—or next year!
Sincerely,
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF)
Arthritis Committee 2025
Gene Leasure
Ricky Parker
Sandy Schuman
Dave Brown
Melody Taylor
Important Tax Information
Your donation is tax-deductible through the Grand Lodge of Maryland’s Foundation, a 501(c) organization. Please contact the Grand Lodge if you need a receipt. If you donated directly through the Arthritis Foundation online portal, your donation receipt was emailed to you by the Arthritis Foundation.
