California Freemason: How did you first get involved with the Midnight Mission homeless services nonprofit?
G. Michael Arnold: During my time working for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, I came to know Larry Adamson, who was chairman of the board at the Midnight Mission. It was also his year as grand master, and while I didn’t understand what that title meant, just from working with him, I knew that he was a good man and emanated qualities that I admired. Years later, when Larry was thinking about retiring, I told him I’d be interested in the position if they were recruiting from outside.
CFM: So that people understand, is the Midnight Mission a Masonic organization?
GMA: The Midnight Mission is not a Masonic entity. However, the organization was founded by a Mason and has been run by Masons for a long time. Most of the board members have historically been Masons.
CFM: Did working at the Midnight Mission, which has a long history of Masonic involvement, inspire you to knock at your lodge’s door?
GMA: Yes, being around the board, who were all Masons, was sort of an awakening for me—that these were compassionate and caring people I wanted to be like.
CFM: How did you get involved with the Downtown Masonic lodge?
GMA: I remember meeting past master Jeffrey Schimsky and his son, who worked a paper route and saved every dollar so that he could donate to the Midnight Mission. That genuinely moved me. Later on, Jeff mentioned he was starting this new lodge in Los Angeles, close to my work, and invited me to dinner. The rest is history.
CFM: What inspires you to give back to the Foundation?
GMA: I want to make sure that these organizations, which are so important to me and to so many more, will have the funds necessary to stick around and continue the impactful work they do for years to come.
To give back, please visit MasonicFoundation.org.
Photo by:
Justin L. Stewart
