NOVA’s 8th Annual NO BULLying Run Was a Virtual Success!

Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) announced the results of its 8th Annual NO BULLying Run. This year’s run was a completely virtual event and participants were able to choose their own course and distance. This event raised over $33,800 to help fund NOVA’s school-based bully prevention programs.

The event began June 1 and continued through June 30, 2020. Throughout the month, participants were asked to log their miles and report them via the event’s online results page, either daily or weekly. Participants could either complete the miles all at once or break it up throughout the month. The results were tallied for the overall goal of 19,642 miles. Each mile represents one child who is bullied in Bucks County every year, according to statistics from PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center.

“While the pandemic changed the set-up of this year’s NO BULLying Run,” said Angela McGettigan, NOVA’s Director of Community Relations and Development, “we are pleased that it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the participants. We were gratified to see the number of people who participated as a group or family. It made us feel good to know that even during a pandemic, people wanted to do their part to end bullying.”

Age categories for participants were: 10 and under, 11-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and 80 and up. Those who signed up were given the option to run, walk stroll or roll at one of three levels, Free, Standard or Premium. All participants had the opportunity to win prizes each week for logging in their miles. Girl Scouts were welcome to participate and earn a “Stop Bullying” badge.

Participants also received an orange Upstander bracelet to show their commitment to end bullying. Orange is used to commemorate Unity Day, which is when people come together against bullying and in support of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

In addition to the funds raised by participants, The Haley Foundation put forth a challenge grant. For every 10 donations that NOVA received for the NO BULLYing Run, The Haley Foundation pledged to donate $1,000 up to $5,000. If NOVA received 50 donations for the run, the foundation promised an additional $1,000 for a total of $6,000. Donations for the NO BULLYing Run met the challenge and NOVA received the $6,000.

“We were pleased that NOVA supporters responded to the challenge grant we made for the NO BULLying Run that resulted in a $6,000 bonus amount for NOVA,” said Robert Huxley of The Haley Foundation.

The winners in each category were as follows:

Overall:

· Stephanie S. from Perkasie, PA with 411.95 miles on foot

· James K. from Narvon, PA with 322.13 miles on wheels

10 and under:

• Ian C. from Yardley, PA with 94.2 miles on wheels
• Harry C. from Chalfont, PA with 110 miles on foot

11-19:

• Henna C. from Yardley, PA with 150.2 miles on wheels
• Brandi C. from Saint Marys, PA with 181.88 on foot

20-29:

• Michael M. from E. Greenville, PA with 157.93 miles on wheels
• Emily G. from Quakertown, PA with 121.5 miles on foot

30-39:

• Danielle G. from Quakertown, PA with 65.8 miles on wheels
• Matthew D. from Sellersville, PA with 271.86 miles on foot

40-49:

• Maria M. from Hatboro, PA with 111.3 miles on wheels
• Jack W. from Merchantville, NJ with 221.97 miles on foot

50-59:

• Frank L. from Warminster, PA with 100 miles on wheels
• Renee C. from Southampton, PA with 654.64 miles on foot

60-69:

• Philip D. from Doylestown, PA with 265.4 miles on wheels

• Bob B. from Warrington, PA with 317.5 miles on foot

70-79:

· Dorothy G. from Yardley, PA with 121.7 miles on foot

80 and over:

• Jack Y. from Doylestown, PA with 26 miles on foot

Event sponsors included Penn Community Bank, a Title Sponsor for seven years, and Munich RE, a Diamond Sponsor for two years.

ABOUT NOVA

Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) supports, counsels and empowers victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes in Bucks County and works to prevent and eliminate violence in society through advocacy, training, community education and prevention programs. Founded in 1974, NOVA is a non-profit 501(c)(3), community-based organization operating out of three offices in Fairless Hills, Jamison and Perkasie. Services are made possible through the financial support of federal, state and local government grants and contracts, corporations, foundations and private donations. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. For more information, visit www.NOVABucks.org.