Post by Kasey on Sept 3, 2017 9:58:26 GMT -8
Sept. 3, 2017 -
As you all know by now, Hurricane Harvey has devastated Southwest Texas and, specifically has caused flooding in Houston at a rate that has never been seen in that city's history.
Houston is the fourth-largest populated city in the United States. It is within about 50 miles of the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It is susceptible to hurricane and/or tropical storms. As sports fans know, Houston is home to the Texans of the NFL, the Rockets of the NBA, and the Astros of Major League Baseball. The city was named after military officer and politician Sam Houston who, as governor of Texas, was the only confederate governor to oppose the separation of the Confederate States of America, as the other states attempted to succeed from the United States. Texas had become a state in 1945.
Over the past week-plus, Hurricane Harvey has rendered at least 49 (as of this writing) deceased. Rivers in Houston and outlying areas are still affected of overwhelming flooding. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced from their homes. A chemical processing plant in Crosby, Texas, lost power, leading to the explosions of several of its containers. To be re-occupied, all of those homes will have to be reconstructed. Many of Houston residents and again, in those in outlying areas, are going to have to literally rebuild their lives.
There are many relief efforts under way, Including the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, United States Equestrian Federation, Humane Society of the United States, Catholic Charities USA, AmeriCares, Operation BBQ relief, many celebrities, and many other charitable organizations.
At SCtoC we have opted to honor the relief effort led by Houston Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt. A former three-time Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Watt started the Houston Flood Relief Fund. He started with his personal donation of $100,000, and asked donors to match it. They did. They went further. Much, much further. He raised the goal, and raised it again. Again, again and again. Watt is resetting goals in this effort more than he rakes up QB hits.
As of now, the tally has collected nearly $18 million. That's nearly 87 times the original goal. This is incredible. the newest goal is $20 million.
In update videos on twitter, Watt has updated the milestones. He also has promised to do it right. In a previous post, he spoke of nine trucks being filled with relief supplies. That was Friday. Those trucks have already reached the Houston area, and a warehouse is being filled up with donations. On Sunday, Sept. 3, Watt, his teammates and many others will begin distributing those items to those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
Watt's latest update appears below.
Here is his picture of the supplies which are being donated.
This is an issue which transcends sports, politics and geography. I urge everyone to open their hearts to help, in any way you can or are able. The Goal is now $20 million. Let's reach it. Click to donate to the Hurricane Harvey Relief fund.
~ MKM
In Kassandra's Words began on the Blazers Blogger Network and continues here on this site. Relocating this blog allows me to include Blazers blogs, but to also expand it to other sports and teams, as well as matters of the forum itself. I encourage comments. However, I request that comments be directed toward the topic presented.
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