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.

charles.schilken@latimes.com

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.