The whole world reacted when the Russian military unprovokedly invaded Ukraine and everyone had an urge to do something to help Ukraine to resist as they are not only fighting for their own freedom but for democracy as an idea and virtue.
Among those people who reacted were quite a few celebrities, like Benedict Cumberbatch or Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively. If you would like to read more about celebrities taking action to help Ukraine, Bored Panda talked about it in this article.
Every effort by anyone is very appreciated and makes a difference, but Ukrainian President Zelenskyy was especially impressed by the initiative taken by Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher. He thanked the two actors on his Twitter and it seems that they actually talked on a video call.
More info: Twitter
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher raised such an impressive amount of donations to Ukrainian refugees that even Ukraine's president thanked them personally
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On March 3, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher launched a GoFundMe with a goal to collect $30 million. The donations started with them contributing $3 million themselves and not even a month later, the goal was reached and even exceeded.
As of March 21, over 71k people collectively donated $34,886,500 to the GoFundMe and among the donors is Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle Corporation. He donated the biggest amount, which is $5 million. DST Global donated $3.5 million, Ron Conway’s Family contributed $2.5 million, and there were lots of anonymous donors who gave impressive sums of money.
He tweeted how grateful he was for the couple's support and shared a photo of him talking on a video call with them
Image credits: ZelenskyyUa
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But every dollar counted and that is what led to the sum reaching the goal and going over it. Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy personally thanked the couple for using their influence for a good cause and raising money for Ukrainian refugees in a tweet on Sunday.
He also shared a photo of a video call in which you can see that it was with the two actors, so apparently they also had a chat, but neither the president nor Mila or Ashton shared the details of it.
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher started the GoFundMe page on March 3 with hopes of collecting $30 million to help people fleeing Ukraine
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Image credits: aplusk
Three weeks later, they not only reached their goal but exceeded it, so seeing that it is possible to get to $30 million, they are now aiming at $40 million
Image credits: aplusk
In Monday’s statement on the official President Of Ukraine page, he again addressed this matter: “I also spoke with Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis. A star couple who sincerely believe in us, in our victory, in our future. They help Ukrainian IDPs [internally displaced refugees] by raising funds. And the two of them have already raised $35 million. I thanked them on behalf of our people, on behalf of all of us. Agree, this is a good result for one couple of our friends in America.”
Image credits: aplusk
Image credits: aplusk
Now that the goal of $30 million is reached, it doesn’t mean that the actors consider their work to be done. They announced on all of their social media that they are raising the goal to $40 million. They also shared that “Funds have already and will continue to be delivered to Flexport.org and Airbnb.org so they can act now.”
The couple shared why they are choosing those two organizations: “Flexport.org is organizing shipments of relief supplies to refugee sites in Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova. Airbnb.org is providing free, short-term housing to refugees fleeing Ukraine.”
The money will is going to Flexport as it organizes shipments of supplies needed for refugees and Airbnb, which provides Ukrainians with short-term housing
Image credits: aplusk
Image credits: aplusk
Image credits: aplusk
The tragedy that is happening in Ukraine touched hearts of people all over the world, but it is probably even more hurtful for Mila Kunis as she was born there.
In the GoFundMe message, Mila writes, “Today, I am a proud Ukrainian. While my family came to the United States in 1991, I was born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine in 1983.” Maybe that is why she and Ashton seem to have so much determination to help.
Their efforts didn't go unnoticed and their help definitely is felt by individual people who receive help because of the donations to their campaign. So if you would like to join, here is the link to the GoFundMe page and you can also follow this link to the National Bank of Ukraine where you can donate directly to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
People online were touched by the couple's kind hearts and the amazing job they are doing
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