NOVA’s Upstander Day, A Celebration of Kindness & Inclusion Draws a Large Crowd
(BUCKS
COUNTY, Pa.) NOVA, the leading non-profit organization in Bucks County supporting
victims of serious crimes, celebrated Upstander Day last fall at the Dublin Fire Company, in Dublin, PA. This was a free, community
event that celebrated Upstanders – individuals of all ages who, when they see bullying behavior, take steps to safely offer help.
More than 400 attendees came out to experience family-friendly games, crafts and entertainment; sample treats
from food trucks and see demonstrations by first responders. Congressman
Brian Fitzpatrick (R, 01) stopped by to lend his support. The event raised over $3,000 to help support NOVA’s work in Bucks County.
The idea for Upstander Day arose from NOVA’s Encourage Upstanders program. Encourage Upstanders
is a peer education program that trains students at Pennridge High School to deliver an
educational program about being an Upstander throughout the Pennridge School
District’s elementary and middle schools. Program topics include promoting kindness, preventing the bystander effect, how to help others, and learning about support resources. Students involved in this program volunteered at this event and taught attendees about being an Upstander.
“NOVA brought together a community of caring
to demonstrate what it means to be an Upstander and share our values of caring,
kindness and inclusion,” said Michelle Cash, Director Of Development. “Upstander Day would not have been possible without the support of our community and our sponsors.”
o Gold sponsor:
§ Bucks County Community College
o Silver Sponsor:
§ Yogamazia
o Bronze Sponsors:
§ Univest Financial Corporation
§ TruMark Financial Credit Union
§ TapInto Doylestown
§ Stark and Stark
§ QNB Bank
§ Grim, Biehn & Thatcher
§ East West Karate
§ Circle Speech Services
§ Anne O'Day Orthodontics
§ Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership
(BCHIP)
Plans are underway to make Upstander Day an annual event. Those interested in getting involved can join next year’s Upstander Day committee. To learn more, contact Ashley Doyle, Event Organizer, at Ashley.Doyle@novabucks.org.
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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, corporations, foundations and private donations. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. For more information, visit www.NOVABucks.org.
