Houston Texans fan favorite J.J. Watt announced on his social media accounts his plans for the over $37 million he raised for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. According to an article by abcnews.go.com, Watt announced four partnerships which will receive $31.5 million within the next two years.
“The partners — Americares, Feeding America, SBP and Save the Children — are expected to use the funds to rebuild homes, restore childcare centers, provide food and address Houston residents’ health needs in the areas impacted by the storm,” shared ABC News. The remaining $7 million will be distributed in the coming year.
Watt set out with an initial fundraising goal of $200,000 in the efforts for Hurricane Harvey relief. He didn’t anticipate the growing number of individuals near and far who would step up to increase the donation raised to well beyond that mark into the millions within a matter of days.
In his video announcement, he shared that he chose these organizations because they already have “boots on the ground” here in Houston, and “…whose networks reach throughout the entire affected area.”
“There are not enough words to thank you all for your generosity,” Watt said in September. “If there is one thing that I have taken away from these last few weeks, it is the reassurance of how much good is out there in our world. When times are the toughest, humanity stands at its strongest and you have all helped to prove that emphatically,” shared an article by khou.com
Watt recently was honored by throwing out the first pitch in game three of the World Series between the Astros and Dodgers at Minute Maid Park on Friday, October 27. The fans cheered him on as he made his way to the mound on crutches as he is still healing from his injury.