A single evening of fundraising can make a difference in the lives of thousands of children, particularly when it helps provide access to education, mentorship and opportunities beyond the classroom.
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it → make → classroom
Actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s annual charity event in Los Angeles has achieved a new milestone, raising a record $9.75 million to support young people across the United States.
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event → achieve → States
The money will benefit After-School All-Stars, a non-profit organisation that works with children and young people through free after-school programmes.
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that → benefit → programmes
Schwarzenegger Climate Initiative reported the record-breaking fundraising achievement in an October 14, 2026, update, noting that the annual Arnold Schwarzenegger–Westime Charity Night brought together supporters for a cause close to the actor’s heart.
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Night → report → heart
After-School All-Stars also confirmed the achievement in an October 22 post on its official website, describing the event as its 13th annual charity night.
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Stars → confirm → night
The organisation said the funds would support its nationwide programmes, which serve nearly 150,000 students.
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which → say → students
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s annual charity event raises $9.75 million
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event → raise → million
The 13th Annual Arnold Schwarzenegger-Westime Charity Night was held earlier in October at Schwarzenegger’s home in Los Angeles.
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Night → hold → Angeles
-hosted by Schwarzenegger and John Simonian, founder of luxury watch retailer Westime and a board member of After-School All-Stars.
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- → host → Stars
The fundraiser has developed into an important annual gathering for supporters of the organisation.
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fundraiser → develop → organisation
What began as an effort to bring friends and supporters together has grown into a major fundraising occasion, with contributions directed towards programmes for children and young people.
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contributions → begin → children
This year's total of $9.75 million marks a record for the event.
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total → mark → event
According to After-School All-Stars, the amount represents an investment in the futures of nearly 150,000 students who benefit from its programmes across the country.
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who → accord → country
The organisation emphasised that the fundraising achievement was not simply about collecting a large sum of money.
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achievement → emphasise → money
It was about sustaining opportunities for students to discover their interests, develop confidence and work towards their personal and educational goals.
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students → sustain → goals
What happened during the 13th annual charity night?
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What → happen → night
The evening brought together supporters, entertainers, artists and contributors for a Western-themed celebration.
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evening → bring → celebration
The programme featured several performances and activities, giving guests an opportunity to participate in the fundraising effort while supporting the organisation's work.
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programme → feature → work
According to After-School All-Stars' account of the event, the entertainment included line dancing and performances by the two-time Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Divas.
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entertainment → accord → Divas
Young mariachi performer Mateo Lopez also presented a rendition of the US national anthem, while blues music brought the evening to a close.
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music → present → close
Guests were offered additional experiences, including customised Western hats, bolo ties and traditional tintype portraits.
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Guests → offer → hats
The event also featured a live auction, with individuals, artists and business partners contributing special items and experiences to help raise funds.
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individuals → feature → funds
Milan Carter served as the evening's emcee, while Chuck Dukas led the auction.
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Dukas → serve → auction
Contributors included Richard Mille, MANSORY, boxer Ryan Garcia, Billy Lucas and Daniel Marshall.
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Contributors → include → Mille
Artists Nick Moss, Lotte Zhang, Wes Lang and Hiro Yamagata also donated original works of art.
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Moss → donate → art
The dining arrangements were provided by Wolfgang Puck Catering, with chefs Eric Klein and Garry Larduinat and their team overseeing the food.
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Klein → provide → food
TOMA also returned to serve its signature empanadas.
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TOMA → return → empanadas
How After-School All-Stars supports students
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Stars → support → students
Co-founded by Schwarzenegger more than three decades ago, After-School All-Stars focuses on helping children succeed academically and develop skills that can support them beyond school.
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that → - → school
Its programmes provide free after-school and summer learning opportunities to students across the United States.
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programmes → provide → States
The organisation operates at more than 750 schools and community sites nationwide.
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organisation → operate → schools
Its work includes academic support, enrichment activities, opportunities to build friendships and access to caring adults who can guide and encourage young people.
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who → include → people
These programmes are particularly important because learning and personal development do not stop when the regular school day ends.
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day → stop → ?
After-school activities can give children additional time to explore subjects, discover interests and develop abilities that may not receive as much attention during classroom lessons.
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that → give → lessons
By keeping programmes free, After-School All-Stars also aims to make these opportunities accessible to children and families who might otherwise face financial barriers to participation.
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who → keep → participation
In its October 22 announcement, the organisation highlighted the importance of relationships between students and programme staff.
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organisation → highlight → students
CEO Ben Paul explained that children often remember the people who made a difference in their lives more than individual activities.
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who → explain → activities
He emphasised that supportive relationships are central to the organisation's mission of helping young people succeed in school and life.
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people → emphasise → school
Schwarzenegger's long-standing commitment to the organisation
Schwarzenegger's involvement in After-School All-Stars is closely connected to the organisation's founding and its continued efforts to expand opportunities for young people.
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involvement → stand → people
Through the annual charity night, he has helped bring together donors and supporters to provide financial backing for its work.
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he → bring → work
…and 5 more, not listed.