As Houston-area residents commemorate the first anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, Texan superstar J.J. Watt recently gave the public an update on funds raised thanks to his efforts.
Watt helped raise $41.6 million, making it the largest crowdsourced fundraiser in history. For skeptics who at some point doubted that the funds would reach their designated destination, all funds have been distributed to eight nonprofits: All Hands and Hearts, Americares, Boys & Girls Clubs, Baker Ripley, Feeding America, Habitat for Humanity, Save the Children and SBP.
In an effort to show total transparency, Watt outlined what has been done.
- The cleanup, repair and rebuilding of over 600 homes.
- The recovery and rebuilding of over 420 childcare centers and after-school programs, serving over 16,000 children.
- The distribution of over 26,000,000 meals to those affected.
- Physical and mental health services to over 6,500 individuals.
- Distribution of medicine to over 10,000 patients.
The plan for the next 12 months includes:
- Home restoration and disaster case management, including assistance with temporary housing, furniture, appliances, transportation and more with Baker Ripley.
- Continued assistance with both physical and mental health services, including the distribution of medicine and implementation of mobile medical clinics with Americares.
- Additional support to handle the massive increase in demand following Harvey, covering 48 counties through the Houston Food Bank, Coastal Bend Food Bank, Food Bank of the Golden Crescent and Southeast Texas Food Bank with Feeding America.
- Rebuilding Harvey-damaged homes, while also focusing on providing resiliency for future storms in Rockport, Aransas County, Refugio County and San Patricio County with All Hands & Hearts.