In the United States, it is the discretion of each state’s organization of the Odd Fellow and Rebekah Lodges whether or not to sponsor an Odd Fellows Home. In 1894, the lodges determined that Washington should have a Home. During the statewide Grand Lodge meeting, held in Seattle in 1896, a group of enterprising men from Walla Walla constructed a model of the first Odd Fellows Home in Washington. They borrowed a flat bed trailer, hitched a team of six horses, placed their model on top, and paraded it up and down the streets of Seattle. This impressive lobbying effort was coupled with a donation of 6-1/2 acres of land in Walla Walla from H.P. Isaacs; $3,000 raised by Walla Walla Odd Fellows; and a promise of 400 gallons of water per day from the Walla Walla Water Company.  The Washington Odd Fellows Home was established in 1897, originally for the care of the widows and orphans of members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The original building was razed in 1954. “The Men’s Building” was built in 1909 and later razed in 1979, following the completion of the present 4-story building. The oldest building on campus, currently housing part of the assisted living, was constructed in 1925. Although the Home no longer serves as an orphanage, they continue to fulfill their mission by housing and caring for the elderly of their community and state. Their campus now houses nearly 340 residents.

The Washington Odd Fellows Home celebrates the dignity of life at each of its stages with joy, respect, kindness, and love. They provide an atmosphere of caring service and excellence where each resident receives the residential or health services necessary to maintain dignity and worth. They are sincerely committed to setting the standard in aging service. They value each member of their health care team, and recognize the importance of each individual job. To this end, they create an environment that fosters the creativity and growth of their employees.

Their Three Links Center, or TLC, offers assisted living in private apartments. Charges include all meals, weekly cleaning, heavy laundry, transportation to doctor appointments, shopping trips and all activities. For nursing care, their Care Center offers all of the above services, plus 24-hour licensed skilled nursing care. Residents are encouraged to bring their own furnishings to make their new home as comfortable as possible. Odd Fellows is certified to participate in Medicaid and Medicare.

Food services include three well-balanced meals daily, served individually in their five dining rooms. Residents, family, and staff also have access to a private dining room for a once-a-month, by reservation only, special dinner prepared by their chef. The atmosphere is elegant, the food wonderful, prices low, and the waiting list long. In addition, residents, staff, and visitors can enjoy espresso drinks, as well as an array of soups, salads, and sandwiches, in The Well Cafe´.

Floor meetings are held by residents in each building, from which information is later shared at the Resident’s Council. There is also a Food Committee that reports to the Council. Residents are updated on the various activities, programs, and upcoming trips, and are encouraged to participate.

The Odd Fellows Home has auditoriums for a variety of events, such as musical programs, theatrical performances, dances and church services. The Sweet Adelines practice onsite and provide free performances three times a year for the residents. The German Dancers also practice onsite and provide free presentations. They have an indoor swimming pool and a fitness center.

Odd Fellow’s waffle feed is presented twice a year, one evening for each building or floor, so it takes about a week each time. They celebrate many annual events, such as St. Patrick’s Day, Purple Tea Party, 12^th Day of Christmas Party, Turkey Party (get together to tell bad turkey jokes), 90+ Party, Resident Christmas Sale, Hawaiian Days, and more. Their resident-run Owl’s Nest Store provides some funding for the activities. They have a ceramics workshop overseen by one of the residents. Odd Fellows brings in bank personnel on a weekly basis for account maintenance; there is an onsite beauty salon; they have a 3-day Bazaar in November as a fundraiser; they provide service to both residents and the community as a local polling site; and they are a community site for the AARP Driver Safety Program.

When asked what it means to be a nonprofit organization, John Brigham, CEO/Administrator, said, “We are able to fulfill our mission of providing services of high quality and value without the distraction of operating in the best interest of shareholders. Rather than settling on ‘business as usual’ we are committed to setting the standard in aging services.”

Washington Odd Fellows Home is a member of WAHSA, a state association serving primarily not-for-profit organizations, dedicated to providing quality housing, health, community and related services to older persons. WAHSA is affiliated with the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA). When asked what it means to be a WAHSA member, John Brigham stated, “WAHSA provides the support and camaraderie that are necessary to grow and succeed. The association helps us in our quest to fulfill our mission in ways that are better and smarter. With other members, we enjoy the risk inherent in being a leader in aging services.”