Doing Good Together: A Day That Reminded Us Why Community Matters

Some days remind you why you do the work. Do Good Fest was one of those days.

Thousands of people gathered on a Vermont hillside—not because they shared the same politics, background or story, but because they shared something simpler: a belief that community matters. Families spread out blankets, friends reunited, children danced, music filled the air, and for a few hours, joy became something everyone could hold in common.

The Do Good Fest raises money for the National Life Peace of Mind Fund, which this year supported youth mental health programs. The 2026 benefit concert was held on July 11 at the National Life campus in Montpelier, Vermont, and successfully raised $200,000 for five local nonprofits. We were honored to be named one of the 5 recipients and receive a $40,000 donation, an investment that will help us continue walking alongside young people experiencing homelessness, housing instability, family conflict, mental health challenges and the uncertainty that too many young people carry alone.

We are deeply grateful for that support. But the gift wasn't the only thing we brought home. One of the simplest parts of our day became one of the most meaningful.

Our Bubble Zone was, on paper, exactly what it sounds like: bubble machines, open sky and thousands of shimmering bubbles floating over festival-goers. In reality, it became something much bigger. Toddlers chased them with both hands in the air. Teenagers stopped pretending not to care. Parents laughed while trying to pop bubbles with their children. Adults wandered through smiling, phones forgotten for a moment, simply enjoying being present. Over and over we heard the same kinds of comments. "Now this is what I call fun."

That sentence stayed with us. Because sometimes we think helping a community only means solving problems. It certainly includes that. Every day at Elevate we help young people find safe housing, navigate crises, access counseling, reconnect with school, find employment and discover that they matter. But healthy communities also need moments of delight. Joy is not a distraction from the work.

Joy is part of the work.

It reminds us what we're protecting. It reconnects strangers. It gives exhausted people permission to laugh. It reminds children—and adults—that wonder still exists. Belonging isn't built only through services. It's built through shared experiences that remind people they are welcome.

As we packed up our booth, looked out across the crowd and carried home an oversized check, we realized Do Good Fest had given us two remarkable gifts.

One was an investment in our mission.

The other was a reminder that the strongest communities don't just respond to hardship—they intentionally create opportunities for connection, generosity and joy.

To the National Life Group Foundation, the volunteers, organizers, musicians, fellow nonprofits and every person who stopped by to say hello or chase a bubble with us: thank you. You reminded us that doing good isn't only about meeting needs. Sometimes it's about making someone smile so unexpectedly that they turn to the person beside them and say,

"Now this is what I call fun."

And sometimes, that's exactly where belonging begins.