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Fairfield County Nonprofits Find Support At Gathering Of The Vibes

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – As visitors to the Gathering of the Vibes in Bridgeport enjoy the music, art, food and activities at the festival, they also get a chance to learn about nonprofits working to provide music therapy to children, sign up organ donors, spread awareness about HIV and Hepatitis C, and other worthy causes.

David and Diane Maxwell of the New England Organ Bank at the Gathering of the Vibes festival in Bridgeport.

David and Diane Maxwell of the New England Organ Bank at the Gathering of the Vibes festival in Bridgeport.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
Margie Cleary, Diane Seaman and Jonah Seaman of Music Never Stops.

Margie Cleary, Diane Seaman and Jonah Seaman of Music Never Stops.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
Matt Mazzochi and Jason Reynolds of the Reach Foundation, which supports a number of children's causes around the country.

Matt Mazzochi and Jason Reynolds of the Reach Foundation, which supports a number of children's causes around the country.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
Denise Kilic and Alyssa Fontanez of the Mid-Fairfield AIDS Projects.

Denise Kilic and Alyssa Fontanez of the Mid-Fairfield AIDS Projects.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
Alex Coon, Victoria Gates and Matt Vaugh of Represent Us.

Alex Coon, Victoria Gates and Matt Vaugh of Represent Us.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
Chris Coffman, Richelle Clini and Mary Ahlers of the Love Hope Strength Foundation were signing people up for the national bone marrow registry.

Chris Coffman, Richelle Clini and Mary Ahlers of the Love Hope Strength Foundation were signing people up for the national bone marrow registry.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
Samantha Desimone and Alyssa Fasolino of Oxfam America, an international relief and development organization, were trying to get signatures on a petition to change how the United States sends food to countries in need.

Samantha Desimone and Alyssa Fasolino of Oxfam America, an international relief and development organization, were trying to get signatures on a petition to change how the United States sends food to countries in need.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue

The Non-Profit Village at the Vibes festival hosted more than a dozen organizations working to make the world a better place. Several of the volunteers said the crowds were interested in learning more about their causes and got into the spirit of people trying to make a positive change.

“They call it Vibes for a reason, there’s definitely a good vibe out there,” said Diane Maxwell of the New England Organ Bank. She was working to sign people up to become organ donors and potentially change someone’s life. She said a lot of people were coming up to her and sharing stories about how their lives were impacted by people giving their organs.

Denise Kilic and Alyssa Fontanez of the Norwalk-based Mid-Fairfield AIDS Project were handing out free condoms and testing people for Hepatitis C.

“Four million people are infected with Hepatitis C, and 75 percent of them aren’t even aware,” said Kilic. She said the free and confidential tests they offered could help people know with a simple pin-prick whether they might be infected and if they should consult a doctor for further testing.

Alex Coon, Victoria Gates and Matt Vaughn of Represent Us were spreading awareness about the Anti-Corruption Act, which is designed to limit how politicians take money from special interests. They said a lot of important causes are not acted upon because politicians are beholden to lobbyists and other large donors.

“It’s been really great, there’s been a lot of support. People here are really gung-ho about it,” said Gates.

Diane Seaman was spreading awareness about Music Never Stops, an organization dedicated to providing music therapy to children, teens and young adults in hospitals. She started the organization in honor of her son Tyler, an avid music fan who passed away from cancer.

“We provide kids with musical instruments, recording equipment, synthesizers. They can come in and receive music therapy, create music, download and share with their friends and family,” Seaman said. “We’ve had a really positive response so far.”

The Vibes website has a full list of all the nonprofits participating in the festival. If you’re at the Gathering of the Vibes this weekend, check out the Non-Profit Village and learn about some of the organizations and their worthwhile causes.

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