Ozzie Albies' wife Andreia steals spotlight with the Braves star at Matt Olson endorsed charity event 

Ozzie Albies and his wife, Andreia, were among the many Atlanta Braves couples who attended the 3rd Annual Casino Night at Truist Park's Delta Club to benefit Reclif, a non-profit organization led by Matt Olson's friend Reece Blankenship.

The event, hosted by Matt and Nicole Olson, was initially scheduled for Jan. 11 but was moved to Jan. 17 due to unfavorable weather. Despite the change, it was a star-studded evening that brought together teammates, family and friends.

Andreia turned heads on the red carpet in a chic velvet black gown, paired with a statement red Gucci bag, while Ozzie looked sharp in a black suit.

"Great Night supporting ReClif," Andreia wrote.

The couple also had the chance to catch up with their friend Robbie Tennyson, as Andreia mentioned in her post:

"Always great seeing @tennyson_coffee."

Andreia's Instagram story

ReClif, a Georgia-based non-profit organization, is dedicated to changing the conversation around autism.

What is the story behind Matt Olson's friend Reece Blankenship?

Matt Olson' connection with ReClif began through his friendship with Reece Blankenship, whom he met at Parkview High School in Lilburn, Georgia. Blankenship, a non-speaking autistic who communicates through typing, inspired the foundation.

Olson supported ReClif and Reece's work during his time with the Oakland Athletics, and his trade to the Braves has allowed him to be more involved, including participating in fundraising events like Friday's Casino Night.

“Matt and I have connected on a different plane,” Reece writes in his column (via MLB.com in Oct. 2024). “We each see the deeper being.”

According to MLB.com, Reece had the intellectual abilities of a 3-year-old. There were only limited, expensive autism services available at the time. As a result, his parents, Lou and Jeff, hired local teenagers for 36 hours of therapy per week. After Matt graduated, his bond with Reece continued to grow as they enjoyed each other's company.

“Watching them interact, especially when a lot of people are around, you would think that Reece isn't even paying attention to Matt,” Lou said. “Then, you will notice that Reece is standing closer to Matt or grabbing his hand or arm. Or Matt will put his arm around Reece’s shoulder. As a mom, I can just see the non-verbal energy between them.”

After some time, Reece began to progress by using a letterboard and then a keyboard to communicate. Now, he uses his platform to raise awareness and help others facing similar challenges.