National Life Group’s Do Good Fest raised $30,000 for Central Vermont Medical Center’s Branches of Hope cancer patient fund over the weekend.
The money represents nearly $24,000 in parking receipts, merchandise sales and donations on the day of the music festival, as well as a $6,000 contribution from the National Life Group Foundation.
“What a fantastic, record-breaking event we had here,” said Mehran Assadi, president and CEO of National Life. “But even more important, we are so grateful to the people of our community who came and supported cancer patients. This is part of our cause at National Life. And we like to have fun while we do good.”
Branches of Hope is a fund that helps cancer patients pay extraordinary expenses while they’re undergoing treatment and may be out of work. Among the things it has helped pay in the past are heating bills, transportation expenses, lodging near out-of-town treatment centers, or even dental care before treatment can begin.
The fund once supported itself through bake sales. With this weekend’s Do Good Fest, which drew 5,200 enthusiastic fans, National Life has raised $56,000 for Branches of Hope over the past three years.
Assadi presented an oversize check for $30,000 to Judy Tartaglia, President and CEO of Central Vermont Medical Center. “On behalf of our cancer patients, thank you so much,” Tartaglia said. “These funds will go a long way to ease the stress and burden that our cancer patients and their families face every day.”
She also thanked The Point, Vermont’s independent radio network based in Montpelier, which was the presenting sponsor of the Do Good Fest. Program Director Zeb Norris, who lined up Big Head Todd and the Monsters and Brett Dennen to headline the show, said The Point shared the mission of serving the community.
“When I can get my friends in great bands to help a great cause it makes for an all-around great party,” he said.
The Do Good Fest was co-sponsored by Seven Days, Montpelier Alive, Harpoon Brewery and the National Life Group Foundation. National Life also partnered with King Arthur Flour, Three Penny Taproom and Local Motion. King Arthur’s Baking for Good truck was among the food trucks at the festival and the employee-owned company made a $1,000 donation to Branches of Hope.