JJ Watt to stop taking Hurricane Harvey donations on Friday
HOUSTON -- The Hurricane Harvey fundraising effort led by Houston Texans star J.J. Watt will end on Friday at 5 p.m. after over $32 million raised.
"We will complete the fundraising efforts to dedicate our time to ensuring that every dollar is put to work for the people in the devastated areas in and around Houston," Watt said on Twitter Monday morning. "Please keep this spirit of helping one another alive."
A big donation to Watt's fundraiser came from Texas grocer H-E-B with a $5 million donation earlier this week.
The Texans were on the road playing the New Orleans Saints last Saturday during the storm. For safety reasons, they flew into Dallas rather than back to Houston.
"It's very difficult," Texans star defensive end JJ Watt said in an emotional video last Sunday, "Not only because we have family and friends back there -- some guys have young kids, some guys have wives and families -- but that's our city. It's very tough to watch our city get hit by such a bad storm and not be there to help."
The Texans announced on Twitter on Aug. 28 they donated $1 million to the United Way of Greater Houston Flood Relief Fund. The NFL also donated $1 million. Brian Cushing pledged $50,000 to USO Houston to provide support for our military members and first responders.
