NFL star J.J. Watt is proving to be a game-changer on and off the football field after raising over $31 million dollars to help people affected by Hurricane Harvey.
The Houston Texans’ defensive end started a crowdfunding campaign on August 27th as Hurricane Harvey continued to wreak havoc on the Texas coast. His initial goal of $200,000 dollars was quickly met by generous donations from celebrities like Jimmy Fallon, Ellen DeGeneres, and Drake and people like Amy Adams Strunk, the owner of the Tennessee Titans.
Nearly 200,000 people have donated to the campaign, including Watt who gave $100,000 of his own money to help the city that’s welcomed him as one of their own.
“It’s an unbelievable testament to the good of people,” Watt told The Wall Street Journal. “But now it’s a big task, trying to make sure this money goes directly to the people.”
Watt has been working with his mother Connie to direct the funds where they need to go. Food, water, clothing, generators, and cleaning supplies have been purchased so far. His high school in Pewaukee, Wisconsin has also been collecting donations, and trucks from Wisconsin and Utah have been delivering needed items to those impacted by the hurricane. Watts, along with his teammates, have been helping to unload and distribute the supplies to people in need.
“We’re still doing our day jobs,” Watt said. “We’re still going to practice; we’re still having meetings. We lock in, we focus on our jobs, but the second we’re out of meetings I go to straight to my phone and check on the fundraiser, check on people running logistics on the trucks, and we’re always watching the news.”
Watt has been posting updates about the fundraiser and how his teammates are helping victims of Hurricane Harvey on social media.
Quick update of where we’re at right now… pic.twitter.com/a105oYRv3A
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) September 3, 2017
10 semi trucks.
4 locations.
Countless incredible volunteers.
Just the beginning. pic.twitter.com/xmN40M4hFA— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) September 4, 2017
$27 MILLION!
Thanks in part to an incredibly generous $5 million donation from Mr. Charles Butt at HEB. https://t.co/SR6DmnNbyM
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) September 6, 2017
For anyone who would like to donate to Watts’ campaign, you can do so here. There’s also a list of organizations and nonprofits on the ground in Texas helping victims in need.
