Photo: (left) ZelenskyyUa, (right) aplusk
Since the start of the Ukraine crisis, people all over the world have united to offer support and aid, both monetary and otherwise, to the war-torn country. American actress Mila Kunis and her husband Ashton Kutcher were among the first to step in, quickly setting up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Ukrainian refugees fleeing for safety. They even started out the fund with their own $3 million contribution, and from there the donations only grew.
In less than a month, the couple had surpassed their $30 million goal and then raised the goal all the way to $40 million. As of March 25, the fundraiser has amassed more than $35 million in donations from almost 73,000 donors. Among the fund’s top contributors are DST Global and Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle Corporation. Ellison donated the largest amount of all, a whopping $5 million, and DST contributed a total of $3.5 million to the cause. And in addition to many others, several anonymous donors even made generous contributions of more than $1 million.
But regardless of the size of their donations, more than 72,000 people united in support of Ukraine. And the effort hasn’t gone unnoticed. In fact, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was so overwhelmed by the support that he took the time to personally thank Kunis and Kutcher for using their platform and star power to raise money for Ukrainian refugees. Zelenskyy even posted a photo of himself on a video call with the two actors on Twitter. And in a statement on the President of Ukraine official website, he detailed his gratitude even further.
“I…spoke with Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis. A star couple who sincerely believe in us, in our victory, in our future,” Zelenskyy writes. “They help Ukrainian IDPs 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.”
15 million…Halfway there wanted you to meet the people who are helping make it happen. #StandWithUkraine️ @Airbnb @flexport pic.twitter.com/tZf0LtpwiI
— ashton kutcher (@aplusk) March 6, 2022
Kunis and Kutcher have very been vocal about their support for Ukraine from the beginning. The cause is especially dear to their hearts as Kunis herself was born in Ukraine and lived there for several years before moving to the U.S. with her family in 1991. “I have always considered myself an American, a proud American,” Kunis relates in their GoFundMe campaign video. “But today, I have never been more proud to be a Ukrainian.”
The couple is helping direct the funds raised to organizations that can get supplies and aid directly to Ukrainians in need. As of now, they are delivering the funds to Flexport.org and Airbnb. Flexport is currently organizing shipments of supplies to refugees in Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and Moldova. On the other end, Airbnb is helping to provide free housing to fleeing refugees, and every little bit helps.
“As funding continues to come in, we will treat every dollar as if it were being donated from our pocket, with respect and honor for the work that went into earning it, the intent of love through which it was given, and the desire for it to be maximized for positive outcomes,” Kutcher shares.
To find out how you can contribute, visit Kunis and Kutcher’s GoFundMe campaign page, Stand With Ukraine.
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher donated $3 million and started a GoFundMe to raise money for refugees fleeing Ukraine (the country where Kunis was born).
— ashton kutcher (@aplusk) March 6, 2022
They quickly surpassed their $30 million goal and raised it to $40 million.
We are overwhelmed with gratitude for your support. 2 weeks ago, we asked you to join us and more than 65,000 of you stepped up and donated what you could. Now, with your help we have reached our $30 million goal. (1/5) pic.twitter.com/zQfQ1BNWZm
— ashton kutcher (@aplusk) March 17, 2022
With over $35 million raised, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally thanked Kunis and Kutcher for their humanitarian efforts.
.@aplusk & Mila Kunis were among the first to respond to our grief. They have already raised $35 million & are sending it to @flexport & @Airbnb to help 🇺🇦 refugees. Grateful for their support. Impressed by their determination. They inspire the world. #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/paa0TjJseu
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 20, 2022
In addition to Zelenskyy, people all over the world have expressed their support and gratitude for the two superstars’ fundraising efforts.
Thank you for taking action – we stand united 💙💛
— GoFundMe (@gofundme) March 4, 2022
should anyone have told me in 1999 that Ashton and Mila would lead one of the most incredible humanitarian effort in the world one day, i’d say get out of here! Thank you for what you do ❤️🇺🇦
— 👨💻 Alex Kuznetsov (@AlexKitSec) March 17, 2022
Love you 2 kind beautiful people. We stand with Ukraine 🇺🇦 💙💛
— Leeanne Willoughby (@ljwilloughby) March 6, 2022
Thank you guys for your active support and your humanity ! God Bless you !
— Fior di Maggio (@fiordimaggio22) March 6, 2022
Ukraine Loves You, Thank You for having spoken and for having done the beautiful gestures, for the solidarity and sensitivity💙💛🙏
— Ol (@nomeutenteo) March 6, 2022
May the Lord bless you!!!! You are amazing people!
Нехай Господь благословить Вас! Ві неймовірні! Львів.— CrazyRedHair (@Oncehadredhair) March 8, 2022
Thank you for being a VOICE . We were compelled to give the most we could – Your compassion and kindness in the past and now with helping the refugees – ( beautiful people fleeing from everything they know in order to not lose their one life )
— Sandy Smith (@sandyagoura) March 18, 2022
That’s what a community will and can do for others.
Thank you Ashton and Mila for helping us help others
LU all peace love ✌️🙏❤️— toodles501 (@tdoyle501) March 18, 2022
Thank you for helping the Ukrainian people! Thank you for helping my country! 💕
— Наталія (@NatkaZadan) March 18, 2022
You two are so amazing thank you for using your star power for humanitarian reasons… you were always stars in my eyes and now you are in my heart.
— One Meme Mama (@CynthiaBedard14) March 21, 2022
Stand With Ukraine: GoFundMe
h/t: [Bored Panda]
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