Network of Victim Assistance’s (NOVA)
virtual Evening
in the Roaring 20s Auction
& Gala, was a roaring success. Guests
were invited to learn the Charleston, bid
on silent auction items, and hear from NOVA clients and special guest speaker, Rachael
Denhollander,
all from the comfort of their own home.
The hour-long, live program took place via GoToWebinar and featured 1920's themed entertainment, a silent auction with 200+ items, and a wine pull. The event raised more than $75,000, which will support NOVA’s services and educational programs.
Rachael Denhollander, an attorney, author, educator and sexual abuse victims’ advocate was the evening’s guest speaker. Denhollander came to prominence in 2016 when she was the first woman to pursue criminal charges and speak publicly against USA Gymnastics’ team doctor Larry Nassar. As a result, 300 women came forward as victims of Nassar abuse. Denhollander’s work led to Nassar’s imprisonment, numerous charges filed against University of Michigan officials and USA Gymnastics executives and a record-setting $500 million settlement with Michigan State University for Nassar survivors in 2018. In 2019, she published an account of her experience called, What
is a Girl Worth?: My Story of Breaking the Silence and Exposing the Truth about
Larry Nassar and USA Gymnastics.
During her remarks, Denhollander commended NOVA for their efforts on behalf of victims of sexual assault in Bucks County, “From the very beginning of prevention all the way through to healing and pursuing justice, NOVA brings together a team to empower survivors to speak up; to give them the tools to build resilience to walk from victim to survivor; and to help the community understand better how help victims to build resilience and empowerment.” She continued, “Hope is a beautiful thing and it is a privilege to be able to stand together to spread it. In order for the culture of abuse to change, it takes all of us together standing.”
Angela McGettigan, Director of Community Relations and Development, NOVA, remarked, “We were extremely honored and grateful to have Rachael Denhollander as our special guest for this year’s Gala. We are so proud of her courage to speak out about her own experiences as a victim/survivor of sexual assault and her hard work and advocacy on behalf of others.”
The Presenting Sponsor for an Evening
in the Roaring 20s was EC Fence & Ironworks, Inc. EC Fence
and Ironworks, Inc. has been supporting NOVA’s auction and other fundraising events for the past 9 years. For more information about EC Fence & Iron Works Inc., visit www.ecfence.net.
Fox Trot Sponsors included Penn Community Bank and Parx Casino. Tango Sponsors included Bensalem Township Police Department, Univest Financial, and Worth & Company, Inc. Waltz Sponsors included Antheil, Maslow & MacMinn, LLP, Goldsteins' Rosenberg's Raphael-Sacks, Inc., Kreischer Miller, Marshall Grezlak Wealth Advisory Services, Inc. and O'Neill Nissan, Inc.
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 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.
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Editor’s Note: Photo courtesy of Rachael Denhollander
Rachael Denhollander was the special guest speaker at NOVA’s Evening in the Roaring 20s Virtual gala. Denhollander is an attorney, author, educator and sexual abuse victims’ advocate. She came to prominence in 2016 as the first woman to pursue criminal charges and speak publicly against USA Gymnastics’ team doctor Larry Nassar. As a result, 300 women came forward as victims of Nassar abuse.
Denhollander’s work lead to Nassar’s imprisonment, numerous charges filed against University of Michigan officials and USA Gymnastics executives and a record-setting $500 million settlement with Michigan State University for Nassar survivors in 2018. In 2019, she published an account of her experience called, What is a Girl Worth?: My Story of Breaking the Silence and Exposing the Truth about Larry Nassar and USA Gymnastics.
