The “Living Legacy Progam” was the idea of Sovereign Grand Master Wilson D. Berkley, who in 1989 notice many dead trees in the jurisdictions that he was visiting which aroused his concern for global tree loss. He commissioned this most worthy project as “The Living Legacy Program” of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His untimely passing in March, 1990 caused the program to become his own Living Memorial for his untiring work of Odd Fellowship.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is a “Family Fraternity”. While it was first organized with only men in Odd Fellows Lodges in 1819 on the North American Continent, the Rebekah branch was organized in 1850 and women were admitted to Odd Fellowship, as were other units organized – Encampment, Ladies Encampment Auxiliary, Patriarchs Militant, Ladies Auxiliary Patriarchs Militant, Junior Odd Fellows, and Theta Rho Girls Clubs to complete the “Family Fraternity”. The branches of the family fraternity have planted over three million trees since the programs inception and we have only begun! This is our gift to future generations so please join Odd Fellows and Rebekahs worldwide in planting trees which will better the community in which we live while helping beautify the world.

Fighting global warming is universal concern and planting trees has been advocated by scientists for years due to the trees ability to absorb carbon dioxide, store carbon and release oxygen back into environment. The tree is man’s best environmental cleaner; so let us plant trees!

Make contacts in your communities of potential recipients of the trees such as libraries, schools, churches, retirement complexes, playgrounds, parks, cemeteries, etc. You will be amazed at how easy it is to donate and plant a tree.

Remember to notify the local media in your community to let them know where and when you will be doing this community service, whether you are a member of, or a working friend of the family of Odd Fellowship. In this endeavor, remember to request mayors, premieres and governors to make proclamations for the Living Legacy Program.