His role in Playing with Fire inspired him to donate to first responders and veterans.
During the California wildfire, he donated $500,000 to those fighting the devastating fires.
“I’ve been doing interviews and when everybody asks me about first responders I tell them they’re my heroes, simply because they put themselves in harm’s way to save others,” Cena said. “I can’t tell you in good faith that these people are my heroes and then in their time of need, when they need something, if I don’t respond to that call, I’m not backing up what I’m telling you.”
Cena launched a major fundraising campaign with FitOps, pledging to match every dollar donated to the organization until Veteran’s Day, up to $1 million. His goal has been to partner with the community to raise a total of $2 million to help combat veteran suicide.
One of the veterans who received Cena’s kindness is Charles “Bud” Phillips who happened to meet Cena while shopping in Florida. Recognizing Phillips’ SeaBees hat, Cena expressed his gratitude for his military service and then paid around $100 for Phillips’ groceries—a gesture the veteran only discovered later.
The two took a photo together, which the family later shared on the social media and spoke of Cena’s random act of kindness.
Phillips’ daughter, Stefanie, described the joy it brought her father, who rarely showed emotion. She shared, “A simple act of kindness lit up his day, and that smile meant everything to us.” It was the first time Phillips had smiled so brightly since his wife passed away five years prior, making the moment even more precious.
Cena’s kindness went a long way. A number of families whose loved ones served in the same military unit as Philips reached out to him which led to a veterans’ reunion.
