Jennifer Garner, the Hollywood actress and Charleston native, will host a fundraiser at the University of Charleston next week to raise money for Herbert Hoover High School, which was badly damaged by the flooding last month.
The fundraiser, set for 6 p.m. July 19, was announced by state Sen. Corey Palumbo, a childhood friend of Garner's.
Tickets will be available for $100, $500 or $1,000 and can be purchased at http://www.supportherberthoover.eventbrite.com/.
The $100 ticket is a general admission fee, the $500 ticket includes a photo with Garner and the $1,000 ticket includes a photo and a private reception prior to the event.
"From the moment she heard about the flooding, Jennifer has been working hard to raise money and provide supplies for flood victims," Palumbo said. "As a strong supporter of education, she was heartbroken to hear about the flooding at Herbert Hoover High School and has been working hard to help."
Save the Children, an international nonprofit that Garner works with, will collect the money and earmark it for Herbert Hoover.
The organization's director previously told the Gazette-Mail that, after disasters like West Virginia's floods, the organization looks for ways to "fill the gaps" of things that need to be replaced but are not covered by insurance or state and federal money, such as materials and supplies for arts programs.
The Kanawha County high school was inundated with more than 6 feet of flood water, which swamped the entire first floor when the Elk River rose out of its banks in late June. Estimated damages are more than $1 million and it is unclear if the school will be able to open on time.
Country singer and fellow West Virginia native Brad Paisley, who is an artist ambassador for Save the Children, toured the school late last month. He's also raising money for flood victims using the crowdfunding site GoFundMe.
Reach David Gutman at david.gutman@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5119 or follow @davidlgutman on Twitter.