Charitable Giving

Here you will find the ways the Third District is giving back to its members and providing ways for members to give to causes that we know matter to them.

The Third District has decided to designate itself as being ‘Dementia Friendly’.

To commemorate the 125^th Anniversary of Sons of Norway in 2020, it pledged to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association. The district realized that it has many members and families that were dealing with Alzheimer’s and wanted to make a difference. The fundraising results were very successful, and the feedback was so positive that it was decided to keep this effort going. It is also a core value of the founders of SON that we reach out to help others. For all of those that are facing the struggles of cognitive decline, we are committed to support a vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Alzheimer’s Disease accounts for 60-80% of all dementia cases. Dementia is a general term that describes the loss of memory and other cognitive abilities that are serious enough to disrupt a person’s daily life. As many as 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease and there is no known cure. It is also estimated that in a little over three decades, that number will more than triple to 16 million people unless something can be done to halt it.  There are treatments for symptoms, but more research is needed and continuing to find a cure.

It is not a normal part of aging, but the risk of Alzheimer’s increases with age. Most patients are over 65 years old. Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death. The average patient may only live for four to eight years after diagnosis. Some may live up as long 20 years with the debilitating symptoms and struggles for their caregiving families. It is a progressive disease that worsens over time.

We can work together to increase awareness, learn of preventative strategies and treatments and what is on the horizon in terms of a cure. Learn more at Alzheimer’s/Dementia Awareness

The Charitable Trust – Unique to the 3rd District Sons of Norway

The Charitable Trust was established by the Sons of Norway District Three Lodge with the desire to provide elderly, indigent, and infirm District Three members with subsistence and those financial services essential to their physical, social, and psychological well-being.  Members are required to be sponsored and to submit an application to be reviewed by the Charitable Trust Trustees in accordance with the Trust’s current operational document.  Learn more at The Charitable Trust

The Sons of Norway Foundation – Faithful to our mission and members.

At the Sons of Norway Foundation, we are driven by a sense of purpose: to share and preserve Nordic heritage, to positively affect our members’ lives, and to make Sons of Norway communities better places to live. Since 1966, staying true to this purpose, we have been supporting our members through scholarships and cultural exchange opportunities, providing disaster relief to members in need, and funding community programs that celebrate Norwegian heritage and culture. Learn more at Sons of Norway Foundation.

Your 2023 Charitable Giving Team