The people of Jackson, Mississippi have been greatly affected by a water crisis where the town supply of water has been deemed undrinkable do to ongoing water treatment issues. Recently Atlanta Braves rookie outfielder, Michael Harris II has generously donated money to the residents affected from the lack of water.
In an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Harris said he considered Mississippi his second home after spending many months playing for the Double-A affiliate, Mississippi Braves.
During the interview, Harris said “the people there, they just come out and support, treat you like their own. There’s really no hatred over there. It’s just a good place. I didn’t really have any problems there. I felt comfortable there.”
The rookie Harris donated $23,000 from his pocket to help those affected by the crisis and hopes the money helps the city’s youth “because they’re probably the ones struggling the most.”
The residents of Jackson have had no running water in their sinks, showers and toilets for more than a week due to a water pressure issue. The pressure has since been fixed, however the water remains unsafe to drink. The state government in Mississippi has asked its citizens to either boil tap water before consuming or use bottled water.
“Giving back is something I always wanted to do,” Harris said. “I saw they were struggling with something that’s really important—water. You need water to pretty much do anything—stay clean, stay healthy.
Despite Harris’s fame and large contract with the Braves, he is staying humble and continues to give back to his community.
“It definitely means a lot because you never know what people are going through or how they’re living in different areas,” Harris said during the interview. “I know I’m living a pretty good life right now, so I want everybody else to experience the same thing.”