In a heartfelt return, actress Jennifer Garner recently visited Perry County, Kentucky, more than a year after the region was hit by a catastrophic flood, one of the most devastating in Kentucky’s history, as declared by Governor Andy Beshear. The flood left the town and its residents reeling, wiping out Robinson Elementary School among other damages.
Garner, who hails from neighboring West Virginia, embarked on this poignant journey to express her deep sympathy for the students affected by the tragedy and the loss of their school library, a place she credits with profoundly influencing her own life.
Emotions ran high during her visit, and Garner couldn’t help but share her feelings, saying, “It just takes your breath away.” She continued, “My little elementary school library totally shaped my life.” A longtime supporter of Save the Children since 2014, the actress contemplated the loss experienced by the students and educators in the area.
In the wake of the flood, more than 500 children from Robinson Elementary, along with those from a nearby school, found themselves sharing a single building. Many families lost their homes during the deluge. Garner, during her visit, spent time with these students and was deeply moved by their resilience. She recounted, “The kids wanted me to know how scary it was, what it was like to lose their school, what it was like to lose their homes, where their family went.”
To bring a ray of hope and support to the community, Garner surprised the students and teachers with a heartwarming gift of over 500 books from Scholastic. Additionally, she pledged to donate 5,000 books to both schools’ future libraries once they are rebuilt.
Garner underscored the immense value of children’s libraries, stating, “A push cart is better than nothing,” in reference to the librarian who now uses a push cart filled with books due to the absence of a proper library.
The actress, a keen observer, couldn’t help but be inspired by the remarkable resilience of the children she met during her visit. She noted, “There’s a lot of trauma just in growing up below the poverty line, and if you can name it, then you can heal, you can be resilient and move on. It’s amazing to watch in action.”
Jennifer Garner’s return to Perry County serves as a touching testament to the strength of the community and the indomitable spirit of Kentucky’s schoolchildren as they strive to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of the devastating floods that occurred in July 2022. Her compassion, support, and commitment to these children and their education shine as a beacon of hope in challenging times.
