Source: Win McNamee/Getty Images
During a crisis, not every hero that steps up to help does so in the same way. When Hurricane Harvey hit the Gulf Coast of Texas, countless people came out to help victims, but they all had different ways of lending a hand. For some, helping out meant donating drinkable water to the victims; others looked out for the pets of those displaced; one man opened up his furniture store to people who lost their homes in the storm.
But for Jeff Lindner, helping his fellow Texans meant doing his job, no matter how stressful or scary it got. The Houston-area meteorologist worked straight through the storm and into the following days, providing residents with much-needed accurate information about Hurricane Harvey and the storm's aftermath.
Now, Jeff's newfound fans are chipping in to thank him by raising money to send him on a well-deserved vacation. On Aug. 31, a man named Blake Ford started a GoFundMe page titled "Let's Buy Jeff Lindner a Vacation." In the page's description, Blake lauded the meteorologist's dedication to providing Houston residents with all of the necessary information they needed, right when they needed it most.
"He has provided us with a calm, analytical, and composed presence during an incredibly fluid and complicated situation: never once looking uncertain or overwhelmed while discussing planned releases and changing water levels," Blake wrote. "Tens, if not hundreds of thousands of people were able to make smarter, more informed decisions about them and their families safety because of Jeff and his determinations."
And clearly Blake isn't the only Texan who feels this way about his new favorite meteorologist. In the four days since the GoFundMe page was started, donors have far surpassed the page's initial goal of $4,000. As this is being written, $20,080 has been raised for Jeff's vacation fund. And the comments section on the page is a testament to how grateful Texans are for Jeff's reporting.
"I am one of those flooded by the [reservoirs] - the sun came out and then the water came in. Jeff's calm, collected, honest, transparent manner became the most trustworthy voice of this disaster, and I relied on him throughout the event," a donor named Shelley McClarigan wrote on the page. "I really think he has earned this vacation, and am glad to contribute to it. Thanks Jeff!"
Unfortunately, Jeff can't actually accept the vacation fund. He technically is the Harris county flood control district meteorologist, not a private news network meteorologist. This means he's a public official and unable to accept gifts of over $100.
All is not lost though! Blake talked with Jeff about this little snag in the fundraiser and the meteorologist was quick to suggest that the funds instead be donated to those in need following the hurricane. Now, the fundraiser has been renamed the Jeff Fund and is set to run until the end of the week. Once it's over, the money will be transferred "to Jeff to disperse to charities, shelters and flood victims as he sees fit."
But also maybe Jeff should take this as a sign and treat himself to a vacation? It sounds like he's really earned it.