4th Annual Arnold Schwarzenegger and Westime Charity Night a Grand Success

ASAS founder Arnold Schwarzenegger and ASAS Board Member John Simonian of Westime raised a record-breaking $1.1M to support ASAS programs nationwide through the annual Arnold Schwarzenegger – Westime Charity Night, hosted at the Governor’s Los Angeles residence. ASAS is deeply grateful for the support of those that made this event possible including our extraordinary co-host, Annie Duke.

Guests, including Don Cheadle, Jim Caviezel, Mark Burnett, David Ellison and Patrick Schwarzenegger, put on their cowboy hats, pulled on their boots and saddled up for this year’s western themed event. Guests enjoyed fabulous entertainment from tasting experiences to encounters with exotic animals such as a stunning bison, alligator, baby coyote and bald eagle, along with the Governor’s darling mini-horse, Whisky, a magic show by David Blaine, mechanical bull-rides and more.

The highlight of the evening however was when ASAS Alum Ni’Quille Bell shared his emotional life story: “I can honestly say that After-School All-Stars saved my life,” said Ni’Quille, moving the room to tears. “All-Stars kept me off the streets and gave me opportunity; opportunity to learn, to grow, to see new things, to experience new things, and to become a leader.”

For Ni’Quille Bell, he credits ASAS with saving his life. Through ASAS, he found a safe space and caring mentors and opportunities he couldn’t have imagined, including introducing Arnold Schwarzenegger at a rally for Ohio Governor John Kasich in 2016 and speaking at Arnold Schwarzenegger’s home for his annual fundraiser later that year. In Ni’Quille’s own words: 

My name is Ni’Quille Bell and After-School All-Stars saved my life.  I joined After-School All-Stars in 6th Grade.  I grew up in a single parent home, and watched my older brother struggle with ganging activity and other delinquent behaviors during the after-school hours.  After my brother was shot, I knew I needed to choose another path.  All-Stars was that path that changed my life. I am very grateful for the organization founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

After graduating from high school, Ni’Quille attended Anderson University as a freshman and transferred to Ohio Dominican University when he received a generous scholarship offer. He’s a wide receiver and enjoys bowling when he’s not on the field.  

The proceeds of the event will enable more students like Ni’Quille to be successful in school and in life.