Rockets step up Harvey fundraising efforts

We mentioned here yesterday about the multitude of different ways members of the Houston Rockets were helping the local community deal with and recover from the Hurricane Harvey disaster. From Clint Capela doing his part online, helping to draw attention to those still trapped by floodwaters, to Rockets owner Leslie Alexander donating a huge sum of money, to numerous other gestures from Rockets players, the franchise has made it a point to step up and assist the city and its citizens. Now they’ve ramped up their efforts even further.

First, Alexander upped the ante by increasing the amount of money he was donating to Houston mayor Sylvester Turner’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. Alexander’s original donation was $ 4 million, but he bumped the total up to $10 million once the scope of the disaster became apparent.

Alexander didn’t want to draw attention away from the disaster by releasing an official statement on the donation, but the team did have this to say, according to the Houston Chronicle:

"Our hearts are heavy seeing the devastation that so many of our friends, family and neighbors are experiencing, Please stay safe, Houston."

Alexander’s always held the city of Houston and its residents in the highest of esteem, and once again showed why he’s one of the best if not the best owner in professional sports. The team and the city will miss him greatly when he sells the team.

In addition to Alexander, new Rocket Chris Paul also stepped up his efforts to help the disaster. He donated a sum of $50,000 to J.J. Watt’s online fundraiser. Watt’s initial goal for the fundraiser was $500,000, and it was Paul’s 50k donation that put the total over the top.

Since then, more donations have come pouring in, with Watt reaching over $2 million in donations earlier this afternoon. In fact, so many people have been interested in helping, that Watt raised his goal all the way up to $3 million, and it wouldn’t be surprising for the fundraiser to hit that number.

Those are just a few of the long list of donors to the disaster-relief cause, a group that includes Ezekiel Elliott and Mike Trout, along with numerous other famous athletes. But the way the Rockets franchise, its owner and their players have heeded the call for assistance is just another reminder that the team is a first-class organization all the way.

Nice work, Rockets, way to step up, as our hearts and thoughts remain with the city of Houston and its residents as the floodwaters and the damage total continue to rise.