BRATTLEBORO — Blues and jazz vocalist Samirah Evans of Brattleboro has chosen the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund (VDRF) to be a beneficiary of sales from her song, Strength in Numbers, available for purchase at www.cdbaby.com.
In 2005, the flooding brought on by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans destroyed the home of Evans and her husband, Chris Lenois. The couple ended up relocating to Lenois' hometown of Brattleboro. Six years later, one day before the anniversary of Katrina, they watched Tropical Storm Irene bring similar ruin to many parts of Vermont, including their own community.
While they were spared any personal loss this time, Evans and Lenois were deeply moved by the tragedy and the outpouring of support from the community for those in need. They wrote Strength in Numbers to be performed at a fundraising event in Brattleboro.
The song is a soulful and heartfelt account of how tragic and challenging circumstances naturally galvanize the human spirit to give strength and hope to one another.
“I was devastated by the destruction of Vermont,” said Evans. “Irene happened to land one day before the sixth anniversary of Katrina. As one can imagine, it took me back to the horror of it all. In Katrina's aftermath there was so much loss: lives and livelihoods, physical and emotional stability. It was painful to witness and know that people were going through similar circumstances from Irene. We wanted to do something for our community, and raising money to help those who are still trying to recover was top on the list."
So far, nearly $1.5 million has been allocated to Vermonters from the VDRF. However, with the possibility of as much as $10 million still needed, and more than 800 families with unmet needs, it is as important as ever for Vermonters to support the recovery, according to the fund's administrators.
“Even while we brace ourselves for another hurricane season, there are hundreds of Vermonters still not in their homes,” said VRDF Executive Director Betsy Ide. “Samirah's generosity is a heartening example of the unique ways Vermonters can make a difference.”
Strength in Numbers is available for download with all proceeds from purchases between now and Aug. 29 (the seventh anniversary of Katrina) going to the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund.
“It is my hope that this song offers comfort as well as an opportunity for anyone, even those who may not have much, to feel good by offering a small donation that will help Vermonters affected by Irene get back on their feet,” said Evans.
For more information, go to www.vermontdisasterrecovery.com/events/samirahevans.