IOOF Sonora is one of the oldest community service organizations in the county, having been established in 1853. IOOF Sonora believes communities should take care of each other, and we provide services to further our original mission to: educate orphans (now current and former foster youth), to take care of the sick and elderly, and to bury the dead, as IOOF was established long before social services programs existed to do so.  

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For over 80 years (1853 through the 1930s) the Sonora IOOF was the most active service organization in the community and did so much to help this town prosper and get through its hard times.  Like most service organizations, membership declined post-WWII, and by the 1990s, membership was dangerously low.  Most veteran members were aged and infirm, so there was no one to provide care to the lodge or its cemetery.  By the end of 2010, the lodge had only five active members, the lodge had no income, and was facing closure.  The Sonora Lodge has since undergone major changes, and we've been very excited to give our lodge new life and bring it back to the forefront of service to our community.