Italian Heritage Lodge of Fairfax #2517
Located in beautiful Fairfax, Virginia, Italian Heritage Lodge of Fairfax #2517 is the local chapter of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America.
The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America was established in 1905 as Ordine Figli d'Italia in America. ("Figli" in Italian can mean either "sons" or "sons and daughters.") Originally, it was a mutual society for the early Italian immigrants. Today OSDIA has more than 600,000 members and a network of more than 700 chapters from coast to coast. Our lodge, founded in 1981, is a northern Virginia chapter of OSDIA, one of five chapters in the Grand Lodge of Virginia.
Our missions parallel those of the state and national OSDIA organizations. For example, we carry on our Italian and Italian-American traditions, we promote the preservation of the Italian culture by participating in optional language classes as a lodge activity.
Like other OSDIA chapters we proudly raise funds for charities like Autism and Cooley's Anemia. We do so through such activities as walk-a-thons, 50/50 raffles and other fund raising activities.
We convene for general membership meetings normally on the second Saturday of each month at the Knights of Columbus Hall behind St. Leo's the Great church. The address of the hall is 3702 Blenheim Boulevard, Fairfax, Virginia 22030.
At a typical meeting, a brief business meeting is conducted, we have delicious Italian food, then enjoy an interesting program. We also take field trips, enjoy banquets at other locations, meet informally for lunch, play sports together, and more.
Keep cooking. Keep gathering. Pass it on.
The mission hasn't changed: cook real food together, sit at a long table, and make sure the next generation knows how to do the same. No shortcuts, no catering order.
People who walked in last month sit next to members who helped lay the floor. That mix — new and long-standing — is what keeps the lodge alive.
The door is open most Saturday evenings.
Come once and see what forty years of Saturday nights looks like. Check the calendar for the next gathering and bring someone with you.