Denver resident Ross Bulla receives Lake Norman Citizen Humanitarian Award

HUNTERSVILLE – Ross Bulla, a Denver resident whose philanthropic efforts have raised more than $1 million for children who have experienced abuse, received the 2026 Lake Norman Citizen Humanitarian Award during the annual Normy Awards on Oct. 15.

Bulla was recognized for his longstanding commitment to the Lake Norman community, including his work with the Lincoln County Child Advocacy Center, his fundraising efforts and his support for local nonprofit organizations, youth programs and public-safety initiatives.

During his acceptance speech, Bulla quickly shared the credit with the people who have supported his charitable endeavors.

“I can think of a lot of people who belong up here with me,” he said. “One of the great privileges of my life has been getting to know this community through its generosity.”

Bulla said organizing charitable projects has given him a deeper appreciation for the many ways people contribute to their community. Some donate money, while others volunteer their time, lend equipment, provide services or quietly meet a need without seeking recognition.

“You learn something about people when you ask them to help,” he said. “You discover who will give up a Saturday, lend you a truck, sponsor an event or quietly cover a need without wanting their name attached to it.”

Around Lake Norman, he added, “you don’t have to look very far to find those people.”

Committed to protecting children

Much of Bulla’s philanthropic work centers on the Lincoln County Child Advocacy Center, which provides coordinated services to children who have experienced physical or sexual abuse and their non-offending family members.

Bulla is a certified child forensic interviewer, working with children suspected of experiencing abuse, as well as those who may have witnessed violence in their homes. His involvement gives him a direct understanding of the challenges children and families face when navigating abuse investigations and the process of finding help.

“My work with the Child Advocacy Center has made that especially clear to me,” Bulla said in his acceptance speech. “A child facing something no child should face needs caring, capable people – and a community willing to support them.”

The CAC even dedicated its forensic interview room as “The Ross Room” in recognition of his service.

Fundraising with impact

Bulla is perhaps best known for founding and organizing Cigars, Bourbon & Benefactors, a fundraising event that brought together local businesses, sponsors, donors and community members to support the CAC.

The event combined cigars, bourbon tastings, auctions, food, music and opportunities for networking, creating an atmosphere that encouraged people to support a difficult but important cause.

Over its run from 2019-2026, Cigars, Bourbon & Benefactors raised more than $1.34 million for the CAC. The Oct. 3 gathering at Mission Farm in Iron Station marked the final large-scale edition of the event and generated $220,000-plus.

Organizing the fundraiser required substantial work behind the scenes, including coordinating sponsors, securing auction items, arranging vendors and managing event logistics. Bulla’s ability to bring businesses and individuals together helped turn the gathering into a significant source of support for child advocacy.

In his acceptance speech, he acknowledged that the people around him had helped shape his ideas and make the events successful.

“They’ve encouraged my ideas, improved them considerably and occasionally helped me understand that having an idea doesn’t automatically make it a good one,” he said.

He also thanked Lake Norman Publications, the official media partner for Cigars, Bourbon & Benefactors, for helping promote the event through the newspaper.

“Advertising in the ‘Lake Norman Citizen’ has helped us sell out year after year,” Bulla said. “I’m grateful that you’ve used your reach to bring people together in support of the children we serve.”

Giving back across the community

Bulla’s charitable work reaches beyond the CAC. Through his company, The Treadstone Group, he has helped provide hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and in-kind contributions to charitable organizations, schools and public-safety initiatives.

His community involvement has included supporting youth organizations, serving on nonprofit boards and contributing to local emergency services.

In 2023, Bulla donated the funds needed to purchase and train three narcotics-detection dogs for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, helping establish the department’s narcotics canine team.

His service has also included leadership roles with organizations such as the United Way of Lincoln County, the Lincoln County Coalition Against Child Abuse and other community groups. He has supported youth programs and local initiatives aimed at strengthening the communities where residents live and work.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Bulla earned a degree in criminal justice with a second major in psychology. He is also an Eagle Scout and has a background in emergency services, including leadership service with the East Lincoln Rescue Squad.

Professionally, his career has included work in physical and operational security, intellectual property and trademark enforcement. He is also a co-owner of Burners Tobacconist & Gentleman’s Goods in Denver.

Bulla’s previous honors include the United Way of Lincoln County’s 2019 Community Hero recognition, the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award in 2021 and the designation of Lincoln County Man of the Year in 2024.
Source: Lake Norman Publications, Oct 28, 2026