Celebrities pitch in for West Virginia flood victims

Some of West Virginia's celebrity fans, including Brad Paisley, Billy Ray Cyrus and golfer Bubba Watson, are helping to raise money for the victims and survivors of the historic flooding that killed 26, destroyed more than 100 homes and washed out scores of roads and bridges in the mountain state last week.

West Virginia-born Paisley stepped up in a big way, launching a GoFundMe campaign and making a $100,000 donation, then hosting a Facebook Live event Wednesday to promote his campaign.

"Now that the waters are receding it's time to pitch in and help in any way we can," he said in a statement. "One of the best ways I have found that hopefully will raise the largest amount of money the quickest and get it to the people in need the fastest is through GoFundMe. I have set a goal of $1 million — this is doable and only a small portion of what is needed. Join me as we help West Virginians together."

So far, nearly $270,000 has been pledged. Paisley said all donations will be distributed through West Virginia Flood Relief 2016, The Brad Paisley Foundation.

Also coming on Friday: The “Rebuild West Virginia” fundraising telethon, featuring Cyrus. The two-hour show, starting at 7 p.m., will originate from the studios of WVVA-TV and be shown online and on statewide television.

All proceeds raised will go to the American Red Crossin West Virginia to help families and communities hit by the devastating floods.

Actor Kevin Sizemore in helping with the effort. Besides Cyrus, other native-son celebrities who will make an appearance at the telethon include former NBA star Bimbo Coles, America’s Got Talent winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. and best-selling author Homer Hickam.

Murphy also will perform at a free concert Sunday night in Charleston, dedicated to the flood victims. He says he will donate CD and download profits in July from his new song, Come Home to West Virginia, to flood relief efforts, according to his website.

The song was released June 20, three days before torrential rain tore through the state. “I got with the co-writers of my song out in California right away, and we all decided to do whatever we could to help,” said Landau.

Meanwhile, golfer Bubba Watson, who owns a home at the Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, said he and his wife, Angie, plan to donate $250,000 for flood-relief efforts. In addition, the couple is helping a church in his native Florida reach out to assist 10 flood-stricken families. He plans to return Sunday to West Virginia to start helping out.