J.J. Watt’s fundraiser for Harvey relief tops the $10-million mark

J.J. Watt’s effort to raise money to help victims of Tropical Storm Harvey in the Houston area has received an immense response, and the momentum at YouCaring.com/JJWatt seems to be building. In four days, the Texans’ defensive end has raised more than $10 million for the Houston Relief Fund.

“It’s incredible,� he said in a video posted Wednesday morning on Twitter. “The most difficult times seem to bring out the best in humanity, and that’s showing through now so much.�

Watt has been tweeting video messages every time he sets a new target for the fund — and he’s been doing that a lot.

On Tuesday morning, he raised the goal to $2 million after the previous target of $1.5 million had been met.

He raised it again later in the day to $3 million.

Then to $4 million.

Then to $5 million.

In his Wednesday morning video, Watt upped the goal to $6 million.

“Please keep sharing. Please keep donating,� he said. “I’m going to make sure this money goes as directly to the people as possible.�

Hours later, just after the fund passed the $6-million mark, Watt set a new target of $10 million.

That night, he added another video message — not because the fund reached its most recent goal, but to thank Ellen DeGeneres for presenting a $1-million donation from Walmart to bring the total to more than $8.5 million.

The fund that started with a modest goal of $200,000 surpassed $10 million in donations on Thursday morning.

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Twitter: @chewkiii

UPDATES:

Aug. 31, 8:10 a.m.: This article was updated with Ellen DeGeneres and Walmart’s $1-million contribution and added that the fund has surpassed the $10-million mark.

Aug. 30, 11 a.m.: This article was updated after the fund crossed the $6-million mark.

This article was originally published Aug. 30 at 7:45 a.m.