6 most charitable Houston athletes and how you can help

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- 'Tis the season of giving and some star athletes have set a great example for Houston. The athletes don't just donate their money, but also their time and energy. If they've inspired you, you can click on each of their names for a link to donate to their charity.[br /][br /][ol][b][li][url HREF=" http://jjwfoundation.org/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"]JJ Watt, Houston Texans[/url][/li][/b]It should be no surprise that JJ Watt tops the list. Watt raising $30 million for Harvey aid starting with a $100,000 personal donation is just the latest in a long list of good deeds by the Texans defensive end.[br /][Ads /][br /]His "Justin J. Watt Foundation" has raised $3,475,000 for middle school after school athletic programs and organizations.[br /][br /]Watt started the foundation when he still was at the University of Wisconsin.[br /][br /]Inspired by the story of a student who was left alone for several hours each day because his after-school program closed and he committed a robbery, the foundation donates to middle schools mostly in Wisconsin and Texas that are struggling to fund after-school athletic programs.[br /][br /]Watt has also donated his time and money to people in the community who needed him. [url HREF="http://abc13.com/sports/jj-watt-donates-$10k-to-family-who-lost-dad-in-wreck/1761216/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"]He donated $10,000 to a family who lost their dad in a wreck.[/url][br /][br /][url HREF="http://abc13.com/sports/young-jj-watt-fan-to-receive-jersey-and-visit-from-star-texan/1684287/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"]He visited a young fan who had been hospitalized after an accident and gave him a jersey.[/url][br /][br /][url HREF="http://abc13.com/sports/jj-watt-donates-$10k-for-woodlands-hs-football-player-/1632311/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"]He also donated $10,000 to a football player for The Woodlands High School who was injured and went into a coma during a game.[/url][br /][br /][b][li][url HREF="https://www.3thehardenway.com/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"]James Harden, Houston Rockets[/url][/li] [/b] James Harden has truly shown the spirit of giving this year. He[url HREF="http://abc13.com/sports/james-harden-pledges-$1-million-for-harvey-relief/2369961/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"] donated $1 million to Harvey relief[/url] and [url HREF="http://abc13.com/sports/harden-serves-thanksgiving-meals-for-harvey-victims/2676261/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"]served Thanksgiving meals for families impacted by Harvey.[/url][br /][br /]In August, he kicked off his inaugural JH-Town weekend. Part of the weekend was [url HREF="http://abc13.com/sports/tools-to-succeed-harden-gives-out-school-supplies-to-150-kids/2323211/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"]a back-to-school event that provided 150 kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston with backpacks filled with school supplies. [/url] His celebrity charity basketball game raised money for his foundation.[br /][br /]Hardens' "3TheHarden Way Foundation" says it is dedicated to bridging economic and educational gaps in the Houston metropolitan area by providing academic financial support to high achieving students demonstrating leadership within communities facing economic hardship.[br /][Ads /][br /]Harden also donated $100,000 to Texas Southern University and the funds will be designated toward scholarships for students in financial need.[br /][br /][b][li][url HREF="https://www.withmerci.org/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"]Whitney Mercilus, Houston Texans[/url][/li] [/b][br /]After Harvey, linebacker Whitney Mercilus donated $65,000 to the Smartie Pants Academy in Northwest Houston. The Smartie Pants Academy is a non-profit organization that provides individualized learning plans for kids with special needs and they were hit hard by the storm.[br /][br /]His "WithMerci Foundation" provides advocate services and support to families of children with disabilities and special needs. They partner with Autism Rescue Angels, F.A.C.E.S, and easterseals of Greater Houston.[br /][br /][url HREF="http://abc13.com/sports/texans-mercilus-serves-meals-at-tx-childrens-hospital/2685106/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"]Whitney Mercilus also served Thanksgiving meals to children and families at Texas Children's Hospital this year.[/url][br /][br /]Last year during his "12 Days of Giving Merci," he donated toys to the Arrow Child & Family Ministries in Spring, surprised Texans fans with tickets to games, gave out autographed memorabilia, and hosted pizza parties and meet-and-greets.[br /][br /][b][li][url HREF="https://chrispaul3.com/foundation/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"]Chris Paul, Houston Rockets[/url][/li] [/b] Chris Paul was new to Houston when Harvey hit, but he still donated $50,000 and [url HREF="http://abc13.com/sports/chris-paul-to-hold-benefit-auction-on-ebay/2626221/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"]held an auction on eBay to benefit to Harvey relief efforts.[/url][br /][br /][url HREF="http://abc13.com/sports/paul-harden-kick-off-recovery-efforts-at-damaged-schools/2605220/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"]Paul and James Harden hosted a book drive and basketball clinic for students at two local schools damaged by Harvey. [/url][br /][br /]His "Chris Paul Family Foundation" works with Feed the Children, Make-A-Wish, Salvation Army B&G Clubs, LA's Best Afterschool programs, Leapz & Bounds and a number of other organizations. The organizations aim to support education, literacy and technology enrichment, health and wellness initiatives. He also provides one athletic and one academic scholarship to Wake Forest University a year.[br /][br /][b][li][url HREF="https://lancemccullersfoundation.org/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"] Lance McCullers, Houston Astros[/url][/li] [/b]Lance McCullers may be the biggest animal advocate in Houston. He works with organizations that work to make Houston a no-kill city. [url HREF="http://abc13.com/pets-animals/lance-mccullers-jr-celebrates-big-win-by-helping-animals/2601433/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"]What did he do when he won the World Series? He didn't go to Disney World, he hosted an animal adoption event. [/url][br /][br /]Soon after the victory, [url HREF=" http://abc13.com/sports/astros-lance-mccullers-throws-doggie-day-care-party/2615052/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"]he also hosted a doggie day care party to benefit his foundation.[/url][br /][Ads /][br /]The Lance McCullers Jr. Foundation aims to promote pet adoptions, raising awareness for shelters and programs, and continuing the journey to a no-kill world.[br /][br /]Even in his personal life, McCullers helps animals in need. [url HREF="http://abc13.com/sports/astros-lance-mccullers-jr-helps-lost-dog-find-her-home/2613474/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"]He helped a lost dog find her home after she wandered into his yard. [/url][br /][br /][url HREF="http://abc13.com/sports/astros-host-baseball-games-for-kids-with-disabilities-/2666609/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"]Lance McCullers and his teammate Alex Bregman both hosted a baseball tournament for children with disabilities. [/url][br /][br /][b][li][url HREF="https://houstonchildrenscharity.org/rftcdonate//" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"] Carlos Correa, Houston Astros[/url][/li] [/b] Carlos Correa doesn't have his own foundation, instead he partners with Houston Children's Charity and specifically their "Restless for the Cause" branch.[br /][br /]The charity provides beds for children without one. After the storm, [url HREF="[br /]http://abc13.com/community-events/correa-sending-500-more-beds-to-harvey-stricken-kids/2428204/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"]Correa, along with Houston Children's Charity and Texas Mattress Makers, donated 500 new mattresses, frames and linens to children affected by Hurricane Harvey. [/url]The 21-year-old All-Star was on hand to personally lift the donated items and give them to families in need.[br /][br /][url HREF="http://abc13.com/news/astros-correa-helps-give-kids-in-need-a-good-nights-sleep-/1440711/" TARGET="new" REL="nofollow"]He's worked with the same group for a few years now. [/url][br /][br /]"When he found out we gave 100 beds a month, he wasn't satisfied with that," said Laura Ward, with Houston Children's Charity. "He's not going to stop until he gets to his 2,000. That's Carlos."[br /][/ol][br /][br /][url HREF="https://abc13.formstack.com/forms/report_a_typo" TARGET="" REL=""][b]Report a typo to the ABC13 staff[/b][/url]