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Explore our latest coverage of environmental issues, climate change and more.

Burlington Songwriter Releases Single To Help Puerto Rico's Hurricane Recovery

Local salvage crews work with the U.S. Coast Guard in mid-December to remove a vessel wrecked during Hurricane Maria in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Lara Davis
/
U.S. Coast Guard
Local salvage crews work with the U.S. Coast Guard in mid-December to remove a vessel wrecked during Hurricane Maria in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.

More than three months after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, the island of around 3.3 million U.S. citizens is still struggling to recover. One Vermont songwriter is releasing a song to help raise awareness of, and funds for, the ongoing plight of residents of the island territory. 

With about half the island still without power, and access to clean water scarce, Burlington-based artist Francesca Blanchard says she wanted to help. She wrote the single Maria as a love song "from the point of view of an island, to a woman named Maria."

The song was written for a benefit concert for Puerto Rico. Now Blanchard is selling the single online for $1, with profits to be donated to hurricane relief efforts on the island.

Blanchard joined Vermont Edition to discuss how the storm shaped the song and how she hopes it inspires others to help.

Listen above the interview with Blanchard. Broadcast on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018 at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

Jane Lindholm is the host, executive producer and creator of But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids. In addition to her work on our international kids show, she produces special projects for Vermont Public. Until March 2021, she was host and editor of the award-winning Vermont Public program Vermont Edition.
Matt Smith worked for Vermont Public from 2017 to 2023 as managing editor and senior producer of Vermont Edition.
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