watt a guy!

J.J. Watt offers fans a chance to win $100,000 and a new Ford truck

Houston Texans superstar J.J. Watt is giving away a ton of cash and a Texas-sized pickup.

Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Houston Texans star J.J. Watt is famous for his dominance on the field and for his activism in the community — especially after Hurricane Harvey. Initially hoping for a modest $200,000 raised in the midst of the storm, Watt helped generate a staggering $41.6 million for Harvey relief.

Beyond the money, Watt, through his Justin J. Watt Foundation, helped repair or rebuild more than 600 homes and distribute more than 26 million meals to those in need.

Now, Watt is helping one lucky fan score big: his foundation is giving away $100,000, a brand-new Ford F-150 Raptor, and the opportunity to help some needy children.

The winner will also get flown to Houston and placed in a four-star hotel with a friend.

Participants will be able to donate anywhere from $10 to $5,000 to help the children of the Justin J. Watt Foundation. The foundation says its mission is to provide after-school opportunities for middle-school-aged children to get them involved in athletics, so they can learn about accountability, teamwork, leadership, work ethic, and perseverance in a safe and supervised environment with their peers.

Although participants do not have to donate to enter the contest, donations will help increase the chances of winning.

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granting a reprieve

Harris County forgives hundreds of small business loans for struggling locals

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Dr. Randy Mitchmore (center, pictured with his staff) is one of the hundred of recipients of the new gift.

The global pandemic has wreaked havoc on local small businesses; many have struggled without savings, credit, and capital to continue on during the downturn. For some immediate relief, Harris County and the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC) offered some 444 area small businesses interest-free loans of up to $25,000 earlier this year.

The loans would be forgiven in five years, per the initial Harris County COVID-19 Forgivable Loan Program agreement.

Now, in some feel-good, holiday news, the loans have been converted into grants, thanks to federal CARES Act funding received by the county, according to a statement by Harris County and Houston-Galveston Area Council.

“Many of the owners have already made use of the funds they received. Knowing that they don’t have to pay it back, that it’s all theirs, gives them one less thing to worry about at a time when so many have been impacted,” said Omar Fortune, manager of the Houston-Galveston Area Local Development Corporation (H-GALDC), in a statement. (The organization handled the underwriting process and distribution of loans to small businesses.) “We’re pleased to be able to provide this gift to these small businesses that are so important to our region. That it’s happening during the holiday season makes it even more special.”

Originally launched on April 9, the Harris County COVID-19 Forgivable Loan program distributed $10 million to the 444 small businesses by the summer. On October 6, Harris County approved the loan conversion to grants, according to a press release. Small businesses that had already begun paying back their loans have had their payments reimbursed by the county, according to HGAC.

Local business owners are “ecstatic” upon hearing the news, according to H-GAC. “ This whole experience has been an emotional roller coaster, but I’m extremely positive about the future,” said Museum District-area dentist, Dr. Randy Mitchmore, in a statement. “I’m proud to own a small business, and we have a direct impact on the local community. I’m also grateful for this program and that it was able to help small businesses as intended.”

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