Hurricane Harvey’s devastating floods have killed at least 47 people and caused billions of dollars in damage to homes, businesses, and roads in Texas and Louisiana. 45,000 people remain in shelters as waters recede.

Professional athletes are now trying to use their unique position in society to help. Houston Texans linebacker JJ Watt has raised an astonishing $15 million via social media. Locally, Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer and wife Erica are covering all adoption fees this weekend for pets from the DC Human Rescue Alliance. They are doing so to help create more room in Texas shelters for lost or displaced pets.

Thursday, news surfaced that Washington Wizards superstars John Wall and Bradley Beal rallied their teammates and made a $250,000 donation to help relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey. That, in turn, has inspired several other people in the Monumental family to donate.

Genuinely amazing guys, on & off the court. Love & respect @RealDealBeal23 @JohnWall pic.twitter.com/05hhlKdheM

— Kamiah Adams (@KamiahAdams) August 31, 2017

Friday night, a source who asked not to be identified, forwarded RMNB a private email that was circulating among Ted Leonsis’s Monumental Sports and Entertainment employees.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has made an undisclosed donation to the Red Cross to help relief efforts. After seeing what the Wizards were doing, Ovechkin wanted to contribute as well.

Leonsis, the Capitals owner, also made a sizable donation.

If you’d like to make a donation like the Great 8 did, you can send money to the Red Cross via their official website.