Kicking Off Strong at ViVa Vienna!
This Memorial Day weekend was huge for us. Us at NOVAStrong set up our very first booth at ViVa Vienna, an awesome festival bringing our community together.
A Weekend of Firsts!
We started simple: just a table, some shirts, and brochures. It felt exciting but honestly, a bit intimidating.
Day one was tough. We stayed mostly behind the table, not really sure how to approach people. We made about $50—not bad, but far below what we were hoping for.
On day two, everything changed. A friendly visitor noticed us struggling and gave us simple, valuable advice: "Get out there and talk to people!"
So that's exactly what we did. Instead of waiting for visitors to approach us, we started walking up, introducing ourselves, and having real conversations.
We shared our vision for NOVAStrong and talked openly about the things we want to do for our community. We let people know about our free tutoring, affordable pet sitting, volunteering at senior centers, and upcoming clean-up days around Vienna.
We also told folks about our bigger projects. First up was our Narcan Awareness Campaign. Our goal is to make Narcan easy for everyone to find and use. Right now, it's expensive and not accessible when people need it most. We're working to change that by placing Narcan kits in public places, just like AEDs.
Another exciting project we introduced was our Electronic Refurbishment Drive. Many of us have old phones, laptops, or tablets sitting around unused. Our idea is simple: collect those unused devices, fix them up or use their parts, and donate them to students and families who need them. Anything leftover could support local charities and STEM programs.
This new way of connecting made a huge difference. We raised about $100 on day two alone, breaking even for the event. More importantly, we spread the word about NOVAStrong and built meaningful connections.
Even though we didn't hit our original fundraising goal, we gained something even more valuable: community awareness and support. People now know what we're about and how they can help.
Major Win: Narcan Awareness Gains Big Support
One of the most exciting moments at ViVa Vienna happened when we got to talk about our Narcan Accessibility Campaign with someone who really understood its impact. While chatting with people, we were introduced to Dr. Babur Lateef, a candidate for Virginia Lt. Governor.
We told him how Narcan, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses, is still way too expensive and hard to access—especially for the people who need it most.
Dr. Lateef didn’t just listen—he supported the idea right away. As Chairman of the Prince William County School Board and former vice chairman of the UVA Health System Board, he knows how urgent this issue is. He agreed to help us spread the campaign and use his platform to get Narcan into more public places like schools and libraries. His support is a huge step forward, and it gives NOVAStrong the boost we need to turn this idea into something real.
Special Thanks to Dr. Lateef for his support!
Next Up: Hoops for Homes!
We’re thrilled to announce "We’re thrilled to announce "Hoops for Homes," our upcoming charity basketball tournament at Nottoway Park in Vienna. Participants will pay a small fee to compete in a 1v1 tournament with a PS5 prize, all to support local families struggling with rent in NOVA. Currently, we need help funding for this event through donations.
Donations over $50 receive perks:
- Listed recognition on our website and newsletters.
- Have the choice of which charities our funds benefit.
- Exclusive Merch
Sign up today with Credit/Debit, Venmo, Apple Cash, Zelle, Cash App, PayPal, and more at novastrongproject.org/shop. Let's shoot for change together!
