It has been estimated that over 30 000 people are displaced due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey. To date the damage has been estimated at a cost of at least $100 billion. A number of residents in the Houston area have lost their homes and assets due to the massive flooding and in response to this, many celebrities have showcased their support to help contribute to relief efforts.
Mega Superstar Beyoncé Knowles and her sister Solange ,who are Houston born , were among the first to support the cause. The singers have been all over social media showcasing their support, with Beyoncé promoting a “BeyGood” campaign for Houston and setting up a page on her website to raise funds. On the page she encourages followers to donate to two charities: Bread of Life and the Greater Houston Community Foundation, both of which have set up Harvey relief funds. Solange Knowles has also been playing her part pledging the proceeds of a special Boston concert to those suffering from the devastation.
Rapper Drake and TV personality and host Ellen DeGeneres and comedian Kevin Heart halso lend a hand to the relief fund with their efforts raising over $11 million thus far (and counting).
One of the game changers particularly in raising funds for victims is Houston Texans All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt’s whose online fundraiser to aid flood victims of Hurricane Harvey, closed out at more than $37 million.Watts Houston fundraising efforts raised a total of $37,132,057 and had 209,430 donors.
“There are not enough words to thank you all for your generosity,” Watt said in a statement recently. “If there is one thing that I have taken away from these last few weeks, it is the reassurance of how much good is out there in our world. When times are the toughest, humanity stands at its strongest and you have all helped to prove that emphatically.”
Watt worked alongside his foundation and teammates to load 12 semitrucks with supplies to aid victims in the aftermath of the hurricane.
