A gas main explosion in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin devastated the Madison suburb on Tuesday night. Firefighter Cory Barr was killed in the explosion, which injured 15 people; Barr was the only fatality. He was 34.
In addition to destroying several buildings in the surrounding area, The Barr House tavern, owned by Cory and Abby Barr, his wife, was completely destroyed in the blast.
When tragedy strikes, it takes a lot of heart, and even more courage, to reach out and ask for help. Sometimes, all it takes is one single person to help take that first, small step in the right direction.
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt proved, once again, that he is one of the most charitable athletes in the world today. Watt donated $10,000 to a GoFundMe page created by the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Sun Prairie, which is just one hour from where Watt grew up.
You can donate to the victims of the Sun Prairie explosion by clicking here.
The football star did not make a public spectacle, nor has he commented on the donation. Watt is genuinely in the business of helping people. He doesn't want added fame or notoriety for his actions; he wants to improve people's lives.
Watt, the son of a firefighter and University of Wisconsin alum, is no stranger to fundraising and charitable donations. His foundation set out to originally raise $200,000 of relief for the people of Houston after Hurricane Harvey devastated the Texas city and surrounding area. The massive recovery effort needed all the help it could get.
Watt's foundation didn't raise $200,000; they raised $37 million for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
The Justin J. Watt Foundation, a non-profit organization, donates uniforms, sporting equipment to children's programs all across the country. Since 2011, the foundation has donated over $4 million worth of equipment for after-school programs.
In 2016, Watt donated $10,000 to the family of a high school football player who was injured, and in a coma, following a head injury playing in a playoff game. Attached to the message, Watt said, ""If there's anything that I can do to help, please let me know. Sending my best wishes to Grant and the entire Milton family."
NFL star J.J. Watt is one of the feel-good stories of our generation. He is one of the best players in one of the world's biggest sporting leagues, and his mission is give back what he's earned.
We can all take a lesson from someone who has done more than his share to help the people who cheer his name on Sundays.
