On Saturday, September 7, 2024, The Midnight Mission celebrated a monumental milestone—110 years of continuous service to Skid Row and Southern California’s most vulnerable populations. Held at the historic Majestic Downtown in Los Angeles, the Gala was a beautiful blend of elegance, inspiration, and purpose. The event honored The Midnight Mission’s rich legacy while recognizing individuals and organizations who have made an extraordinary impact on our homeless community.
The evening began with a lively cocktail reception and silent auction, creating an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. As guests bid on unique auction items, they knew their contributions would support the life-transforming programs The Midnight Mission offers to those in need.
After the reception, Chairman of the Board William Noonan delivered a warm and heartfelt welcome, setting the tone for a night of gratitude and celebration. Following his remarks, the program commenced with a powerful speech from Sam, an alum of our HomeLight Family Living Program. Sam shared her personal journey of overcoming homelessness and how the program provided the stability and support she needed to pursue her dreams. Now in nursing school, Sam is determined to help others in the same way The Midnight Mission helped her. Her testimony was a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of our work and set a meaningful tone for the evening.
President and CEO David Prentice then took the stage to present the first Golden Heart Award to Rick Harmon, a devoted donor and volunteer. Rick spoke about his experiences serving on Skid Row every holiday and the profound impact it has had on him and those he’s helped. His dedication and selfless acts of service were celebrated as exemplifying the true spirit of giving.
Following Rick’s presentation, Chief Communications Officer Georgia Berkovich presented the second Golden Heart Award to Vijay Gupta, founder of Street Symphony. Gupta performed a moving rendition of “Hallelujah” on his violin, which brought many attendees to tears. His speech, highlighting the healing power of creativity and compassion in addressing homelessness, emphasized the importance of human connection and the arts in transforming lives.
After the heartfelt speeches and poignant performance, the celebration continued with a range of enjoyable activities. Guests danced to the tunes of a live band, were mesmerized by aerial performers, tried their luck at the casino, and had their fortunes read by a tarot card reader. Calligraphers created custom-etched mugs for attendees, while dessert and coffee carts offered delicious treats. The evening was filled with joy and festivity, making it a night to remember.
We are deeply grateful to our generous sponsors, including U.S. Bank, Bank of America, Cathay Bank, East West Bank, Amazon, Chuck Lorre Foundation, Tito’s Vodka, William Noonan Foundation, and the United Arab Emirates, whose support was instrumental in making this event a success. Their commitment to our cause reflects the same spirit of service that has sustained The Midnight Mission for over a century.
Reflecting on the success of our 110th Anniversary Gala, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who played a role in making it a memorable evening. From our honorees and sponsors to our guests and volunteers, each person contributed to raising essential funds for our emergency services and 12-step recovery, family living, job training, education and workforce development programs.
Here’s to another century of service, hope, and transformation at The Midnight Mission. For more information on how you can be involved, go to our website at www.midnightmission.org.