Denver man earns humanitarian award for raising $1.34 million for abused children

Residents of the Lake Norman region gather annually to recognize individuals who contribute to the area through service and philanthropy. On Oct. 15, Ross Bulla, a resident of Denver, North Carolina, received the 2026 Lake Norman Citizen Humanitarian Award during the Normy Awards ceremony.

The award acknowledges Bulla’s sustained work with the Lincoln County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) and his fundraising efforts that have generated over $1 million for children who have experienced abuse. His role extends to serving as a certified child forensic interviewer, a position that involves questioning children suspected of abuse or those who have witnessed household violence.

Bulla’s most prominent initiative is Cigars, Bourbon & Benefactors, an annual fundraising event he founded and organized. The event combines cigars, bourbon tastings, auctions, food, and music to support the CAC. From 2019 to 2026, the series raised more than $1.34 million for the organization. The final large-scale edition took place on Oct. 3 at Mission Farm in Iron Station, where it generated over $220,000.

The CAC has recognized Bulla’s contributions by naming its forensic interview room "The Ross Room." In his acceptance speech, Bulla emphasized that the success of these efforts relies on community participation rather than individual action. He noted that people contribute in various ways, including donating money, volunteering time, lending equipment, or providing services.

"You learn something about people when you ask them to help," Bulla 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."

He added that such individuals are easy to find in the Lake Norman area. "Around Lake Norman, you don’t have to look very far to find those people," he said. Bulla credited local businesses and individuals for improving his event ideas and helping him understand that an initial concept does not guarantee success.

Bulla’s charitable work extends beyond the CAC. Through his company, The Treadstone Group, he has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and in-kind contributions to schools, nonprofits, and public-safety initiatives. In 2023, he funded the purchase and training of three narcotics-detection dogs for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, establishing the department's canine team.

He has held leadership roles with the United Way of Lincoln County and the Lincoln County Coalition Against Child Abuse. Bulla is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he studied criminal justice and psychology. He is also an Eagle Scout and has served in leadership roles with the East Lincoln Rescue Squad.

Professionally, Bulla works in physical security, operational security, and intellectual property enforcement. He is a co-owner of Burners Tobacconist & Gentleman’s Goods in Denver. Previous honors for his service include the United Way of Lincoln County’s 2019 Community Hero recognition, the Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award in 2021, and the Lincoln County Man of the Year designation in 2024.