KENTUCKY — Multiple organizations, and some notable musicians who've called Kentucky home, are providing all kinds of support to flood victims in eastern Kentucky.
What You Need To Know
- Several relief funds have been established to directly benefit eastern Kentucky flood victims
- Country stars Chris Stapleton and Tyler Childers have been spotted in the area helping victims
- Both Kentucky natives launched charitable funds that will aid flood recovery
- People can also volunteer to aid cleanup and debris removal
Gov. Andy Beshear has established the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund. Beshear says tax-deductible donations first will go toward paying for each flood victim’s funeral.
Among other groups accepting money donations online toward eastern Kentucky flood relief efforts include the American Red Cross, Save the Children, and Aspire Appalachia, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said in a news release.
The University of Kentucky men's basketball program held a telethon during an open practice at Rupp Arena Tuesday night, which raised over $2.4 million for flood relief. Donations are still being accepted.
Celebrity sightings
Some big names in country music are also doing their part to help their native state recover. Chris Stapleton and Tyler Childers have both been spotted in the area aiding cleanup efforts.
A Lexington native, Stapleton has set up the Outlaw State of Kind Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief fund, which he said will send money to the Kentucky Red Cross and Appalachia Crisis Fund to directly support flood victims.
“Our hearts are with Eastern Kentucky & everyone who has been affected by the devastating floods throughout the region,” Stapleton said in a Facebook post over the weekend.
Several people posted their run-ins with the "Tennessee Whiskey" singer on Facebook.
I had absolutely no idea that I’d walk out of Walmart after work & have Chris Stapleton standing right beside my car,...
Posted by Angie N Rod Mullins on Monday, August 1, 2022
Tyler Childers, born and raised in Lawrence County, was also in Hazard this weekend helping flood victims. The city of Hazard gave him a shoutout on Twitter.
End of day 4. There will be many more.
— City of Hazard (@hazardkygov) August 1, 2022
Couple photos of our community leaders, Prestonsburg Mayor Les Stapleton, @GovAndyBeshear, and the man himself @TTChilders
God bless all y’all helping we love you fierce. See you tomorrow pic.twitter.com/4Yo5oGtAMR
Childers encouraged his fans to donate to the Hickman Holler Appalachian Relief Fund, which was founded by Childers in 2020 and aims to support unspecified "philanthropic efforts in the Appalachian Region."
Cleanup, supplies and more
People looking to volunteer to assist with debris cleanup, providing shelter or donating goods and services can sign up through a Kentucky Emergency Management portal.
Other groups that are accepting cleaning supplies, nonperishable food and other items include the Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation, the Kentucky Educational Development Corporation, Franklin County Fiscal Court, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Horse Council.
The Christian Appalachian Project is organizing teams to strip buildings of ruined materials that may lead to black mold. Team Rubicon is removing debris and performing chainsaw operations. And New Frontier Outfitters is partnering with the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky to raise funds by selling “Eastern Kentucky Strong” T-shirts for $20, FEMA said.