History of the Dolly Sinatra Lodge, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America
Established in 1905, the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America has approximately 34,000 members in over 350 Local Lodges and 17 Grand (State or Regional) Lodges. The local lodge in the Palm Springs area is the Dolly Sinatra Lodge #2400. The Order of Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, its Grand Lodges, and its Local Lodges are non-profit fraternal organizations dedicated to charitable activities in combined national and local endeavors.
The local lodge in Palm Springs received its charter from the Supreme Lodge Order of Sons of Italy in America on the 1st day of May 1977. The charter members authorized to constitute a regular subordinate lodge in the Coachella Valley were Mark Carnevale, Emanuel Stillino, Salvatore DiBenedetto, James Nicholos, and Alan Livreri. From those humble beginnings the lodge has grown in membership, momentum in community service, and charitable contributions.
Originally the lodge was to be known only as “Palm Springs Lodge #2400,” but shortly before it opened, a tragic airplane crash had taken the life of Mrs. Natalie “Dolly” Sinatra, the mother of world famous entertainer Mr. Frank Sinatra. Mrs. Sinatra had been a fixture in the Coachella Valley for quite some time, spearheading a number of charitable efforts in the area, including ones for her beloved St. Louis Catholic Church in Cathedral City. In 1984, Anthony “Tony” Riccio, noted Palm Springs entrepreneur and a very dear and trusted friend of Mr. Sinatra, was president of the lodge. Through Mr. Riccio’s efforts and his friendship with Mr. Sinatra, the lodge received authorization from Mr. Sinatra to change its name to the “Dolly Sinatra Lodge #2400” to honor the memory of his mother who had done so much for the people of the greater Palm Springs area. On the 9th day of April 1984, the Supreme Lodge Order of Sons of Italy in America approved, sealed, and issued a revised charter with the name change.
Over the years, the members of this lodge have expanded their commitment to help others in our society by donating time and money to various charitable organizations including the Barbara Sinatra Childrens’ Center, the Mizell Senior Center, the Desert Blind and Handicapped Foundation, and the Palm Springs Stroke Center. They also work diligently to fund the Lodge’s own college scholarship program for graduating high school students in local schools.
The Dolly Sinatra Lodge #2400 is dedicated to keeping Italian-American heritage and culture alive in America, and in the Coachella Valley in particular. The aggressive participation of its membership in community activities is enabling the Dolly Sinatra Lodge to become one of the leading lodges affiliated with the Grand Lodge of California, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America.