Community associations from all over Charleston are coming together to host a citywide fundraiser that will benefit those affected by the late-June floods in West Virginia.
On Aug. 16 at Appalachian Power Park, a slew of organizations will host Neighborhoods Helping Neighbors, a flood relief fundraiser that's free to attend and will offer food, alcohol and various items for purchase.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to Mountain Mission to aid in their HOPE (Helping People Along the Elk) program.
Charleston Main Streets, the Downtown Business District, Bridge Road Neighborhood Association and the Kanawha City Community Association will host the fundraiser, along with the Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau, WV Radio, the West Virginia Power, Proud Eagle and the City of Charleston.
The event will run from 6 to 9 p.m. and feature live music, a silent auction with contributions from local businesses, limited edition T-shirts, local food vendors and alcoholic beverages, according to a press release from Charleston Main Streets.
Representatives from the participating groups announced the event at the press conference Tuesday morning at Appalachian Power Park.
Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, said the musical acts will include the Carpenter Ants, West Virginia Music Hall of Fame member Russ Hicks and Huntington band Of The Dell.
"I think I speak on behalf of the local music scene here to say it's an honor to help out any way we can," Pushkin said. "It's not a difficult task to get local musicians to step up in this continuing effort to help our friends, neighbors and fellow West Virginians."
Charleston Mayor Danny Jones said he's "never surprised" at the generosity and outreach efforts from people all over the state after a disaster strikes.
"Hopefully, we'll never take our eyes off this, because this is gonna go on for a long time," Jones said.
The HOPE program partners with Cornerstone Interiors, Hands On West Virginia and Lowe's of Kanawha City to help residents whose homes were damaged by the floods. The program provides homeowners with free drywall, subflooring, electrical and insulation materials.
Reach Elaina Sauber at elaina.sauber@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-3051 or follow @ElainaSauber on Twitter.