Community Corner
NOVA’s 10th Annual NO BULLying Run Raises $40K In Bucks County
Proceeds support anti-bullying programs in local schools.
BUCKS COUNTY, PA — NOVA’s 10th Annual NO BULLying Run, which took place during National Bullying Prevention Month, raised $40,000 in 2022 for anti-bullying programs throughout the county.
This yearly event raises awareness about the effects and consequences of bullying and funds NOVA’s efforts to combat bullying through both school-based and virtual education programs.
Participants ran, walked, rolled, and strolled on courses of their own choice throughout Bucks County to reach the goal of 22,808 miles collectively. Each mile represents one child who will be bullied in Bucks County this year, according to statistics from PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center.
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In addition to the virtual run, two community events were held at local businesses to bring awareness to the benefits of being an “upstander,” a person who recognizes when something is wrong and does something to make it right.
In October, NOVA partnered with Yogamazia in Richboro for a free family yoga session. The program focused on the benefits of yoga and spreading kindness. Also in October, Action Karate in Jamison joined NOVA for a family karate class that focused on being an upstander, using martial arts and roll play with attendees.
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Age categories for participants in the NO BULLying Run were: 10 and under, 11-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and 80 and up. The following individuals logged the most miles in their age division:
- Holden Tobin (10 and under)
- Sophia Pearlman (11-19)
- Holly O’Malley (20-29)
- Amber Kolenbrander (30-39)
- Stephanie Savastano (40-49)
- Cindy Fairchild (50-59)
- Susan Bennett (60-69)
- Bill Gaboda (70-79)
- Jack Young (80+)
Bull trophies were awarded to Stephanie Savastano of Perkasie and Sandra Herran of Miramar, Florida for logging the most miles throughout the month of October. Everyone who participated received an orange Upstander bracelet to show their commitment to end bullying.
NOVA would like to thank Penn Community Bank, the event’s Title sponsor for the seventh consecutive year and Munich RE, the event’ s Diamond sponsor for a third year. NOVA would also like to acknowledge the following business for their support:
- Stark & Stark
- Foundations Community Partnership
- Franconia Insurance and Financial Services
- O'Day Orthodonics
- Simply Fresh by McCaffrey's
- The Learning Experience Doylestown
- EC Fence & Ironworks, Inc.
- Grim, Biehn and Thatcher
- Friends of Tina Davis
- Ascensus
- Yogamazia
- Dr. Bresler's Cavity Busters
- Nico's Pizza of Jamison
- Quakertown National Bank
- Colmar Dentistry for Kids
- Valdel Plumbing
- Bucks County Gardens,
- RICK BODINE SERVICES, LLC
- Kadan Orthodonics
- Doylestown Health Foundation
- St. Luke's Penn Foundation
- Kershaw & Fritz Tire Service, Inc.
- Circle Speech Services
- RE, Begley, Carlin and Mandio, LLP
- Action Karate
- G Sims & Associates
- Elmwood Park Zoo
- Merck
- Shop Rite of Yardley
“At NOVA, we believe that education is the key to prevention,” said Michelle Cash, Director of Development, NOVA. “For more than 35 years, NOVA’s staff have been providing FREE prevention education programs to tens-of-thousands of students on topics such as personal safety, healthy relationships, harassment, cyberbullying, and bully-free classrooms,” she added.
“The funds raised at the 10th Annual NO BULLying Run will allow us to provide programs that are innovative, supportive, age-appropriate and help young people build safety awareness, develop self-advocacy skills, and recognize resources available to them," continued Cash. "In 2022, as a result of fundraisers like this and generous donors, NOVA provided nearly 500 prevention education programs to over 12,000 students!”
About NOVA
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, United Way of Bucks County, corporations, foundations and private donations. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. For more information, visit www.NOVABucks.org.
