NOVA’s Annual NO BULLying Run Raises $40K -- Proceeds support anti-bullying programs in local schools
(BUCKS COUNTY, Pa.) NOVA’s 10th Annual NO BULLying Run took place in October to coincide
with
National Bullying Prevention Month and raised $40,000. 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.
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.
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:
o
Holden Tobin (10
and under)
o
Sophia Pearlman
(11-19)
o
Holly O’Malley (20-29)
o
Amber
Kolenbrander (30-39)
o
Stephanie
Savastano (40-49)
o
Cindy Fairchild
(50-59)
o
Susan Bennett
(60-69)
o
Bill Gaboda
(70-79)
o
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:
o
Stark
& Stark
o
Foundations
Community Partnership
o
Franconia
Insurance and Financial Services
o
O'Day
Orthodonics
o
Simply
Fresh by McCaffrey's
o
The
Learning Experience Doylestown
o
EC
Fence & Ironworks, Inc.
o
Grim,
Biehn and Thatcher
o
Friends
of Tina Davis
o
Ascensus
o
Yogamazia
o
Dr.
Bresler's Cavity Busters
o
Nico's
Pizza of Jamison
o
Quakertown
National Bank
o
Colmar
Dentistry for Kids
o
Valdel
Plumbing
o
Bucks
County Gardens,
o
RICK
BODINE SERVICES, LLC
o
Kadan
Orthodonics
o
Doylestown
Health Foundation
o
St.
Luke's Penn Foundation
o
Kershaw
& Fritz Tire Service, Inc.
o
Circle
Speech Services
o
RE,
Begley, Carlin and Mandio, LLP
o
Action
Karate
o
G
Sims & Associates
o
Elmwood
Park Zoo
o
Merck
o
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. 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.
Editor’s Note: Interviews are available with NOVA staff and NoBULLYing Run participants. To schedule an interview, please contact Debbie Goetz at 215-630-5408, or by email at dgoetz@dgmediaconnections.com.
Images and
captions courtesy of NOVA:
jack.jpg—Jack Young of Doylestown, PA, a NO BULLying Run participant in the 80+ age category, receives his award certificate for logging the most miles in his age category from Jaime Valleley,
action karate.jpg— Action Karate of Jamison supported the NO
BULLying Run by offering a family karate class that focused on being an
upstander, using martial arts and roll play with attendees. Pictured are Izzy Valleley and Ashlee
Ryan, displaying NO BULLying Run
items and information
on how to be an upstander.
yogamazia.jpg—Yogamazia provided a free
family yoga session in conjunction with the NO BULLying Run. The program focused on the benefits of yoga and spreading kindness. Pictured (L to R) are Alyson Cary, Angelina Valleley, and Jaime Valleley, NOVA Event Coordinator.
bill.jpg—Bill Gaboda of Yardley, PA, a NO BULLying Run participant in the 70-79 age category, poses with his
award certificate for logging the most miles in his age category.
