NEWTOWN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In a touching tribute to the life and legacy of a first-grader lost in the Sandy Hook tragedy, the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation hosted the first annual Catherine’s Butterfly Party, on Sunday, June 8, 2014. The family-focused fundraiser benefitted the creation of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary. More than 100 people attended the Butterfly Party hosted at the home of Jeff and Wendy Waldron in North Salem, New York. The event raised more than $50,000 through short and long-term financial support, and also secured commitments for in-kind services, which will help the Foundation reach its goal of building the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary.
Catherine’s Butterfly Party featured fun activities for adults and kids alike, including face painting, sports and games. Through video, photographs, renderings and educational materials, the Foundation shared its vision, plans and goals for the Animal Sanctuary. American Idol finalist Ayla Brown showed her support of the Foundation by performing some of Catherine’s favorite songs, while guests enjoyed treats from food trucks.
“We are truly touched by the support we’ve received from the New York community to help realize Catherine’s dream of creating a safe haven for all animals,” said Jenny Hubbard, Catherine’s mother and Co-founder of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation. “The contributions made at Catherine’s Butterfly Party bring us one step closer to our goal of breaking ground on the Animal Sanctuary in 2015.”
Catherine Violet Hubbard had a natural ability to connect with and care for animals. She loved being in their presence. Catherine enjoyed catching and releasing butterflies in the spring, and was often heard whispering to them, “Tell your friends I am kind,” so they would come back to her again.
To carry on Catherine’s legacy of providing a place for all animals to feel loved, the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation is raising funds to build the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary. The Sanctuary will be located in Newtown, Connecticut, and will house dogs, cats and farm animals in need of being rescued, and will also have a wildlife rehabilitation center. The Animal Sanctuary will educate the community on how to treat animals and to Be Kind Like Catherine.
About the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation
The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation, Inc. is a recognized 501 (c) 3 organization. The Foundation was created for the exclusive purpose of supporting charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes that honor the memory of Catherine Violet Hubbard, a first grader lost in the Sandy Hook tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut. Inspired by her pure and kind spirit, and her love for all creatures the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation embodies her defining virtues:
Compassion: We treasure all living things and believe that all creatures, great and small, deserve to live free from harm in their natural environment. We will approach all creatures with a sense of kindness because we believe that is what builds a better world.
Acceptance: We believe in the innate beauty and grace of animals, nature and people. We accept all creatures where they are at and will help them achieve what they aspire to become.
Determination: We will always challenge ourselves to make sure we are doing the best job we can possibly do. Our first goal is to make Catherine’s dream of creating a safe haven for all animals by building and supporting the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary.
About the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary
The primary goal of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation is to build an Animal Sanctuary: a place where all creatures are welcome, and will know that we are kind and they are safe. The Animal Sanctuary is a joint project of the Foundation and the Newtown Animal Center, and will be the national model for providing a safe-haven and a place of serenity for animals in need of healing support. The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary will offer adoptive services for companion animals, refuge for farm animals, and native wildlife rescue and relief services. In addition, the Sanctuary will:
- Provide state of the art care for animals
- Offer innovative educational programs to the community
- Foster human compassion and kindness that comes through caring for animals
For more information on the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation and how you can help create the Animal Sanctuary in Catherine’s memory, please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CatherineVioletHubbardAnimalSanctuary, or their website at http://cvhfoundation.org.
