NOVA Gala “A Starlit Evening” Set for April 19

NOVA, Bucks County’s comprehensive crime victim services agency, will host its 50th anniversary gala, “A Starlit Evening,” at Spring Mill Manor, 171 Jacksonville Road, Ivyland, Pa., on Friday, April 19 from 6 - 10 p.m. The gala will raise funds to support NOVA’s free and confidential victim services for children and adults, as well as the continuum of violence prevention programs that NOVA brings to the community each year.

Bidding is now open to event guests and external bidders for the silent auction and can be accessed at https//www.novabucks.org/auction. Prize packages include unique experiences, gift baskets, jewelry, sports and live theater tickets, paintings, vacations, signed sports memorabilia, and much more! There are a limited number of tickets still available – please call 215-343-6543 ext. 6611 for more information.

Over the past 50 years, NOVA has proudly served over 100,000 victims of crime and their families, while also educating nearly one million children and adults in our community. Tickets for this year’s event are almost sold out. To purchase tickets, make a donation, or receive more information visit novabucks.org/50thGala.

A Starlit Evening will honor NOVA’s past and look towards its future with a moving and inspiring program that starts with a choral performance and ends with a live band and dancing. In between, guests will be treated to a signature cocktail, beer and wine bar, a sit-down dinner, a dessert station sponsored by the Bucks County Commissioners, as well as a wine pull and curated silent auction with travel, experiences, gift certificates, memorabilia, luxury items and more.

The evening’s special guest emcee is Karen Gross, singer, speaker, and founder of the media and mentorship platform She Rocked It. There will also be performances from The Zone, pianist Kelsey Buschmann, and Westrick Music Academy. “I’ve known about NOVA for years,” said Gross, who was raised in Bucks County. “But I was not aware of all of the incredible and important work they do in our community in support of victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes. I’m honored to collaborate with NOVA on this milestone event.”

NOVA started 50 years ago as Women Organized Against Rape and to this day serves as Bucks County’s only rape crisis center. NOVA also houses the Bucks County Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), a multidisciplinary team comprised of law enforcement and community groups that was established to protect the interests of children by providing a child-centered response to child abuse. This past year, the CAC helped 360 children and their families by providing crucial support, as well as resources to assist them in their journey towards healing and justice.

In addition to honoring its 50 years of service to Bucks County, NOVA will launch the NOVA 50th Fund. “The 50th Fund will honor the past and prepare for the future by supporting our current needs, while catapulting NOVA into the future,’’ said Penny Ettinger, Executive Director, NOVA. "We are most grateful to our sponsors and all of those who attend the gala and support NOVA’s mission of aiding victims of crime and preventing violence through education and advocacy programs. We invite everyone to join us this year as we honor the staff, volunteers and community partners that have made us who we are today.”

“While we have grown in size and impact over time,” said Michelle Cash, Director of Development at NOVA. “This 50th anniversary year is really about thanking those who have brought us this far and looking forward to what we can do together to build a safer, healthier Bucks County well into the future. Not everyone in Bucks will need NOVA, but everyone needs NOVA to stay strong, innovative and readily available.”

Title Sponsor EC Fence is joined by NOVA Sponsor Parx Casino, Shining Star Sponsor Merck, and Twinkling Star Sponsor Stark and Stark, Attorneys at Law and more than a dozen local businesses that signed up to be Shooting Star Sponsors.

About NOVA
NOVA supports and empowers victims of crime in Bucks County and works to prevent violence through training, advocacy, and prevention education. 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 .