Arnold Schwarzenegger Just Made a $1 Million Donation to Coronavirus Relief

Philip Ellis

March 25, 2020 3:34 PM

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, Arnold Schwarzenegger has emerged as an unlikely but welcome voice of reason. First he closed his sports expo to the public to prevent the spread of the virus, then posted a series of PSA videos in which he and his menagerie of farm animals urge people to stay home and practice social distancing to help flatten the curve. He even shared his equipment-free fitness plan , to encourage people to work out at home and avoid the gym.

Arnold Donates $1 Million to Coronavirus Relief

And now he's put his money where his mouth is. The actor and former Governor of California just made a donation of $1 million to the Frontline Responders Fund , a crowdfunding page he co-founded to keep healthcare workers equipped with masks, gloves and other gear, and which at the time of his posting had raised more than $2.8 million.

"I never believed in sitting on the couch and complaining about how bad things are, I always believed we should all do our part to make things better," he wrote on Instagram. "This is a simple way to protect our real action heroes on the frontlines in our hospitals, and Im proud to be part of it. I donated 1 million dollars, and I hope that all of you who can will step up to support these heroes."

Schwarzenegger then encouraged his followers to make donations of their own by following the link. It's a simple and effective way for a figure like Schwarzenegger to leverage his high profile to do some good in the middle of an international crisis, delivering positive messaging and letting people know exactly what they can do to help. Unlike, say, certain other celebs who are using their platform and privilege to... um... sing "Imagine" by The Beatles.

Philip Ellis