Arnold Schwarzenegger helped spread a little holiday cheer at one of Los Angeles’ biggest toy giveaways this time of the year.
Thousands of toys were handed out at the Hollenbeck Youth Center as part of the 42nd annual Miracle On First Street event in the Boyle Heights neighborhood.
The Terminator actor is among the people who make it a priority to donate time and gifts to kids in need at the youth center during the Christmas and Hanukkah seasons.
In a video he posted on his TikTok and Instagram pages, the former California governor explained how he was inspired to give back during the holidays after people from Gold’s Gym graciously invited him to their holiday celebration when he was a new immigrant living in the U.S.
‘When I came to this country my friends from Gold’s Gym had a huge Christmas for me and invited me to their house. It was fantastic. They gave me Christmas gifts and they had this beautiful Christmas tree, and I felt so included here in America even though I was a foreigner and just came to this country,’ he recalled of the cherished memory.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, 76, helped spread the joy of the holidays when he donated his time and a slew of gifts to be given out to kids in need at the Hollenbeck Youth Center on Saturday
The Terminator star explained in a new video how he was inspired to give back during the holidays after he experienced a similar situation when he was a new immigrant to the U.S.
Schwarzenegger wants others to feel included like he was when he first came to U.S.
‘I will never forget that kind of like sweetness and kindness and inclusion and so I wanted to do the same thing when I had the money,’ he added.
‘So this is why for the last 30-something years I’ve been coming out to the youth center and giving gifts, and donating the gifts,’ the Kindergarten Cop star shared.
‘It makes me feel good that I can share that kindness and kind of inspire other people to do the same thing.’
While amongst all the excitement and joy of giving and receiving, Schwarzenegger could be seen chatting it up with legendary boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard, who was also on hand at the charity event.
The actor and politician had a big beaming smile on his face as he made his way around the room helping with the gift giving.
The Hollenbeck Youth Center and Inner-City Games Los Angeles aims to help ‘create opportunities for inner-city youth to participate in athletic, educational, cultural and community enrichment programs by building confidence and self esteem in today’s youth for a brighter tomorrow,’ according to the non-profit’s website.
The festive event also featured plenty of entertainment, snowmen, music and fun activities — not to mention appearances by Minnie Mouse and other classic Disney and superhero characters.
Last Christmas, nearly 10,000 toys were handed out during the annual Miracle On 1st Street event, according to Boyle Heights Beat.
The former California governor has been donating his time and gifts to the kids at the Hollenbeck Youth Center for more than 30 years
Legendary boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard, 67, was also on hand to give out gifts
Attendees were greeted by the likes of Minnie Mouse and other recognizable characters
The legendary Hollywood action hero personally handed out thousands of presents
The Terminator star gave out things like toys, bikes and sporting goods
‘I love being able to give back and see the smile on the kids’ faces when they get their gifts,’ Schwarzenegger wrote on Instagram
The former bodybuilding icon brought all kinds of gifts to the youth center
The native of Austria ended up immigrating to the U.S, in October 1968 when he was 21 and spoke very little English
This was the 42nd annual Miracle On 1st Street toy giveaway in Los Angeles
Schwarzenegger also makes a point to help hand out turkeys and greet kids and residents at the youth center during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Priscilla Hernandez, the administrative director for the center, told Boyle Heights Beat that families are still reeling from the economic aftereffects of the pandemic and that it’s more crucial than ever to give away Thanksgiving essentials to those in need.
‘I love being able to give back and see the smile on the kids’ faces when they get their gifts,’ Schwarzenegger revealed in the caption of his video post.
Schwarzenegger, who dreamed of moving to the US since age 10, and saw bodybuilding as his avenue of opportunity, realized his dream by moving to the U.S. in October 1968 from his native Austria at age 21, when he spoke very little English.