J.J. Watt’s season may be over due to a fractured tibia, but he’s certainly not holed up at home twiddling his thumbs.
Sure, he threw out the first pitch of Game 3 of the World Series on crutches, but his real work has been planning out where the $37 million he helped raise for victims of Hurricane Harvey will go.
Watt announced that his foundation partnered with four organizations “who have boots on the ground” in Houston to help a community that was leveled by the storm that left 75 dead and many more homeless.
Americares, Feeding America, SBP and Save the Children will receive $31.5 million over the next two years to rebuild homes, restore child-care centers, distribute food and provide medical care (physical and mental), according to Watt.
The rest of the $37 million that was raised will be distributed in 2018 as Watt’s foundation evaluates the ongoing relief efforts.
“While I understand the total recovery from Hurricane Harvey could require upwards of $200 billion,” the Houston Texan said in a statement, “and this $37 million will not be able to help every single person as I so badly wish it could, I have made it my mission to ensure this money makes as large of an impact as possible.”
Excited to share an update on Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.#HoustonStrong
(Video cut off the end. Go Astros!) pic.twitter.com/PvDRVi0SGR— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 26, 2017
At the end of August, Watt started a fundraising page on YouCaring with a goal of $200,000. More than 200,000 people made donations, and money is still rolling in. The money that is still coming will go toward supporting after-school athletic programs.
“I cannot thank everyone enough for their support and donations from across the country and around the world,” Watt said to those who contributed to the cause. “You have truly shown what is possible when everyone bands together for one common cause.”
He’s not on the field, but he’s certainly Houston’s hero, and there’s no doubt, generations to come will see him in that light, too.