Hollywood superstars and parents Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have pledged to match up to $1 million in donations to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for families displaced by the Ukraine invasion.
In their social media feeds, the couple endorsed the UNHCR donation drive and confirmed they are matching "every dollar" up to a million in donations, thus doubling the financial aid to $2 million. Lively said on her Instagram account that the UNHCR has been "providing life saving aid" to the displaced families. The organization has also been working with Ukraine's neighboring countries to protect the victims of war.
In 48 hours, countless Ukrainians were forced to flee their homes to neighboring countries. They need protection. When you donate, we’ll match it up to $1,000,000, creating double the support.⬇️ https://t.co/xCFL1Lptuw https://t.co/CHp48E1KLQ
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) February 26, 2022
According to the UNHCR, more than 368,000 Ukrainian families are now in neighboring countries, but refugees are expected to increase as tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue. Most of the refugees are women and children since the men have been ordered to say behind to fight for their country.
Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively Support Other Causes
In January 2022, Reynolds and Lively made a generous donation to SANDS, or the Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society in the U.K., to support parents who lost a baby. The organization was founded by Jordan Davies, a soccer player for the Wrexham A.F.C., and his girlfriend Kelsey Edwards, whose baby, Arthur, was stillborn last December.
Reynolds is the co-owner of the Wrexham A.F.C. with celebrity friend Rob McElhenne, who also donated to SANDS with his wife, Kaitlin Olson. Both couples gave the top donation for the online SANDS fundraiser via GoFundMe.
Reynolds and Lively got behind an organization called Run For Something as well, which helps young people kickstart their goals to become public servants and politicians. The couple also matched up a million dollars in pledge for this initiative that will help make a difference to those who want to fight the injustice in the world.
LDF is hugely grateful to Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds for matching all gifts up to $1,000,000 split between LDF and @ACLU through October 8. Their generosity comes at a critical time for our democracy. Join them by rushing a gift to LDF today: https://t.co/eEb00Q2NSY pic.twitter.com/08eItHB17N
— Legal Defense Fund (@NAACP_LDF) September 20, 2021
Working Hard at their Marriage
The celebrity pair have been married for 11 years and have three daughters together -- James, Inez, and Betty. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Reynolds said that they work very hard to keep their relationship intact by treating each other as a partner and friend.
"We've always liked each other. We grow together," Reynolds said of his partnership with Lively. "We learn from each other. So yeah, I'm lucky to have a buddy in that."
It comes as the actor announced in late 2021 that he would take a short break from making movies after completing one film project after another to spend time with his wife and growing kids. He said he wants to be a "present dad" for his daughters, who are now adjusting to normal school life. Reynolds said he relishes picking up his kids from school every day.
