Editor’s note: This commentary is by Bob Stannard, an author, musician and former lobbyist. This piece first appeared in the Bennington Banner.
You got to help me
I can’t do it all by myself
You got to help me, baby
I can’t do it all by myself
You know if you don’t help me darling
I’ll have to find myself, somebody else
– Willy Dixon
[S]ave the Date: Saturday May 26. 7 p.m.
So how’s your day going? For most of us the day is going just fine. You’re probably checking your email or thinking about planting your garden or maybe just watching TV. If you’re reading this there’s a better than average chance that life is good where you are.
Have you ever stopped to think just how lucky you are that you have the small amenities of life like a place to live and electricity to run the place where you live? You might not have as we tend to take the things that we have for granted. And why not? For most of us we’ve always had a decent place to live; refrigeration and lights, but for many of our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico life has not been so good.
Eight months ago on Sept. 20, 2017, the most powerful hurricane ever recorded hit the United States territory of Puerto Rico killing 64 people and injuring lord knows how many others. Thousands of homes were wiped out and devastation was left in the wake of this storm. Puerto Rico already had a pretty sketchy electrical grid and this storm was the catalyst that destroyed whatever power supply they had.
Initially, there was an outpouring of support from Americans but once the tragedy fell off the front page of the newspapers so did our concern for our fellow Americans. While our president fixates on walling in America from unwelcome guests, he and Congress have turned their backs on our own citizens.
There are still those who are committed to helping. Dorset’s own Bill LaBerge, and his company Grassroots Solar, has worked very hard to help install solar power for those in need. As you might imagine there’s way more need than help and this is where you come in.
You may think that there’s little, if anything, that you can do, but this is one thing you can do. On May 26 at the Southern Vermont Arts Center there will be a live performance by Eric Hangen & La Ruta. Eric is a jazz pianist and La Ruta a Latin Jazz band. Folks, there is NOTHING hotter than a great Latin Band and THIS is a great Latin band.
Mr. Hangen will be joined by an all-star cast of great musicians from around the world. These great players are coming together to do what they can to help our friends in Puerto Rico who are still hurting and to some degree still being neglected by our government.
Your role is an easy one. All you need to do is to get in your car and drive up that wonderful winding road that leads to the Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester, Vermont, on May 26 to see and hear these amazing musicians. There are times in one’s life where they can do good while having a good time. This is one of those times.
You can get your ticket(s) RIGHT NOW by going to www.svac.org. There is no downside for you and huge upside for those who need your help.
Yes, there are many other ways that you can show your support for those who we’ve forgotten, but I can assure you that there are not many ways that will be this much fun.
Go back and again ponder on how good you and I have it; how lucky we are that we have a place to live; electricity, running water, air conditioning and many other amenities that allow us to live comfortably here in America. Now, go buy your tickets. You’ll be glad you did.
