"This is just a beginning to a very, very, very long journey."
update 10:30am pt 3/17/22
On Thursday, March 17, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis revealed they have successfully raised $30 million for Ukrainian refugees in just two weeks.
"We just want to say that we hit our goal," said Kunis in a new video shared to Ashton's Twitter page. "Over 65,000 of you donated. We're overwhelmed with gratitude for the support. And while this will far from solve the problem, our collective effort will provide a softer landing for so many people as they forge ahead into their future of uncertainty."
"Our work is not done," added Kutcher. "We're gonna do everything we can to ensure that the outpouring of love that came from you all as a part of this campaign finds the maximum impact with those in need. As funding continues to come in, we're going to treat every dollar as if it's being donated out of our pocket, with respect and honor for the work that went into earning it, with the intent of love through which it was given and the desire for it to be maximized for positive outcome for others."
"We again want to say thank you so much for your continued support. Please don't stop donating, whether to us or other unbelievable foundations out there," Kunis concluded. "This is just a beginning to a very, very, very long journey."
Of the money raised, $3 million came from Ashton and Mila -- with other top donors on the Go Fund Me page including Larry Ellison, DST Global, Josh Kushner and Karlie Kloss Foundation, Clayton Kershaw, the "Laura R. Witherspoon Charitable Giving Account" and Amy Schumer.
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 @aplusk
update 10:55am pt 3/10/22
On Thursday, March 10, Ashton Kutcher gave another update on his and wife Mila Kunis' goal to raise $30 million for Ukrainian refugees.
"Thank you to everyone that got us to $20m in less then a week," he tweeted, along with a link to the GoFundMe page. "We can do this. We can hit out goal. Together. Because we stand together with Ukraine. #StandWithUkraine️"
"We wanted to give a little update on our campaign to stand with Ukraine. We have raised over $20 million in less than a week. I say we because it's all of us together," he said in a new video alongside Kunis. "Some people didn't have the means to give and they've done an unbelievable job of getting the word out and sharing it. But we're not done. Our goal's 30 and we're gonna get there."
Added Mila: "But we do want to say thank you to the 56,000 of you who were able to donate and supported us, whether it was $5, $10, $1,000, whatever it was means to much to us because it does bring in a community and sense of belonging and ability to help."
"Let's keep pushing, let's keep spreading the word and we, together, can hit our goal of $30 million," Kutcher concluded, saying the money is already being put to good use. "There have been over a million children that are in refugee status right now, so every bit helps and we appreciate you."
original story below
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis are giving an update on their progress to raise $30 million to help Ukrainian refugees.
The "That 70s Show" stars shared a video, uploaded to Kutcher's Instagram over the weekend, to inform people their "Stand With Ukraine" campaign was halfway towards its goal.
"UPDATE!! 15 million. We are halfway to our goal. Thank you for the support!" Kutcher captioned the clip, since the video update funds have reached over $16 million as of the writing of this article.
Kunis began to speak about the campaign's progress in the video, "We just wanted to give you a quick update as to where we stand with the fundraising. We're halfway through. We're super-excited, and we want to say thank you to each and every single one of you. It's been an incredible past 48 hours."
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Mila also introduced Ryan Petersen, the creator of Flexport, and Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, to speak further about where and how donations will be utilized to better serve refugees.
The "No Strings Attached" actor also noted that more than 30,000 had already contributed to the cause.
"We're halfway there. We're at $15 million, and we're heading to $30. We're going to make this happen," he continued. "There are some problems in the world that take a village to solve, and there are other problems that take the rest of the world. This is one of those other problems."
On Thursday March 3, the couple announced the "Stand With Ukraine" GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $30 million for Flexport.org and Airbnb.org to help refugees flee their native country amid the conflict with Russia.
In an effort to bolster donations, Kunis and Kutcher pledged to match donations up to $3 million.
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The "Bad Moms" actress was born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, which was at the time, part of the Soviet Union. She moved to the United States with her family at the age of seven.
In a video accompanied with the fundraising campaign, the 38-year-old addressed fans and followers who might donate to the cause, "I have always considered myself an American, a proud American. I love everything that this country has done for myself and my family, but today I have never been more proud to be a Ukrainian."
"And I've never been more proud to be married to a Ukrainian," Kutcher added.
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View StoryMila continued her sentiments and began her statement posted to the "Stand With Ukraine" campaign, "Ukrainians are proud and brave people who deserve our help in their time of need. This unjust attack on Ukraine and humanity at large is devastating and the Ukrainian people need our support."
"While we are witnessing the bravery of Ukrainians, we are also bearing witness to the unimaginable burden of those who have chosen safety. Countless amounts of people have left everything they know and love behind to seek refuge. With nothing but what they could carry, these Ukrainian refugees are in need of housing and supplies right away."
According to the Hollywood couple, Flexport will be transporting humanitarian aid "directly to known NGOs (non-governmental organization) on the ground," while AirBnb will be providing housing and cost of living to those generous enough to take in refugees.
"The people of Ukraine are strong and brave, but being strong and brave doesn't mean you're not worthy of support," Kunis concluded. "We need to support the people of Ukraine. Please help us."