Catherine Violet Hubbard Lives On At Catherine’s Annual Butterfly Party
This very special event is in honor of Catherine, one of the Angels who were lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14th, 2012.
The idea of Catherine’s “Butterfly Party” was inspired by a true story, where a Monarch Butterfly landed on Catherine and she whispered to it “tell your friends that I am kind.”
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Catherine’s Butterfly Party is held each year at the massive Fairfield Hills complex in Newtown. Over the course of the day up to 12,000 (not a typo) people come to celebrate Catherine and the other beautiful children from Sandy Hook Elementary. This year would have been Catherine’s 18th birthday and she and some other children would have graduated high school.
Adding to the special day, in honor of Catherine's 18th birthday, the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary is partnering with the North American Butterfly Association to symbolically rename the Monarch Butterfly the ‘Catherine Butterfly.' Catherine’s whispering to the Monarch Butterfly which landed on her hand, “tell your friends that I am kind.” was the inspiration behind the renaming and the sanctuary's commitment to creating, conserving and protecting Monarch habitats.
Animals was one of Catherine’s passions and this event brings 25 animal adoption organizations together to offer more than two hundred beautiful dogs, cats, turtles, hamsters, guinea pigs & more who are searching for their furever homes!
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Beautiful adult cats and a couple of very frisky kittens were also on hand to find the perfect humans to give lots of love and kisses.
Pictured above are State Representative Mitch Bolinsky, Catherine’s Mom Jennifer Hubbard, State Senator Tony Hwang, Earl Wheway, and First Selectman Jeff Capeci who were on hand to speak about the work of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation and to read the Official Statement of Governor Ned Lamont and to present a Certificate Of Special Recognition from U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal.
In honor of the symbolic monarch renaming, Senator Richard Blumenthal sent an official Senate Citation for today’s dedication. The Senator was unable to attend as he was part of a contingent in Normandy honoring the anniversary of D-Day. In addition, the sanctuary is so grateful for the official proclamation received from the Governor of Connecticut.
Several hundred attendees came to the stage for the presentation and there was a large media presence to document the comments of Jenny, State Senator Hwang and the other speakers.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Children and their parents delighted in meeting and getting up close and personal with some of the many beautiful animals the rescue organizations brought to the event. Ther were many pet related vendors, local artisans, food trucks, live music, entertainment & endless activities for kids!
SGT. Daniel Gebhardt and SGT. Kathrie Platt of the 928th Military Police Detachment puts military working dog Unit through his paces to the appreciation of the large audience.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
In addition to the many rescue organizations there was a great live music performance and photo ops in front of a special background with Catherine’s beautiful words blended into the wings of one of her beloved butterflies.
Several great food trucks were on hand to feed the hungry festival-goers. There were also horses including mini horses, a few reptiles and a couple of llamas to add to the special atmosphere of love for all creatures.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Dozens of hard-working volunteers helped make the epic event a tremendous success. The CVH Animal Sanctuary is committed to helping animals in need find the loving homes they deserve. Thanks to their sponsors, Catherine’s Butterfly Party always remains FREE to participating rescues AND the public. This allows hard working animal welfare groups to focus on their animals while we take care of everything else.
It was clearly a love-fest for humans and their new animal friends, and there was even a chance to see some spectacular raptors.
To help the mission of the CVH Foundation and to learn more including updates on the construction of their beautiful new Sanctuary located at 8 Commerce Rd. in Newtown contact: info@cvhfoundation.org, tel: (866) 620-8640 and visit the CVH Foundation
Homes With Hope Airs 40th Anniversary Documentary At Branson Hall Sunday
The crowd of more than 80 people applauds CEO Helen McAlinden as she thanks board members.
On Sunday, Homes With Hope honored Dr. James Gillespie who was instrumental in developing the Interfaith Housing Association which is now the well-known Homes With Hope organization. As part of the event the organization screened for a second time their 40th Anniversary documentary film created by Livio Sanchez, formerly of Westport.
The documentary includes over 50 testimonials, each with a unique message in creating Homes with Hope's legacy. From the humble beginnings to the monumental milestones, the storytellers have narrated tales of resilience and the collective spirit that had shaped the organization.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Above left and right, CEO Helen McAlinden adressed the crowd, including giving a shout-out to VP and Chief Operating Officer Paris Looney, center.
The Gillespie Center, operated by Homes With Hope is an emergency shelter for single men, and home to the Community Kitchen and Food Pantry was dedicated to Dr. Gillespie in 1989. The screening was attended by more than 80 people, many of James’s family members including sons Bryan and Craig, volunteers, and local supporters. Homes’ former CEO Jeff Wieser who led the organization for several years was also in attendance.
Homes with Hope, formerly the Interfaith Housing Association opened in 1984 as a homeless shelter for single men, and occupied a retired firehouse owned by the Town of Westport. Local religious organizations worked together to create the Interfaith Housing Association in response to an increased number of homeless individuals, primarily men, who were turning to them for aid. The documentary includes reporting on the growing housing crises which has touched Westport and has only grown substantially in CT in recent years.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
A collection of memorabilia from years past was available for viewing.
Homes with Hope has grown significantly since 1984. As the need began to increase, they realized that food and shelter alone were not enough to help people move from homelessness to self-reliance.
In response, Homes with Hope expanded the support services and housing options currently available to our clients by providing the resources needed for them to be successful in their journey out of homelessness. The organization also operates Hoskins Place, located in the same building, is a 4-bed emergency shelter for single women.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Fairfield County’s Biggest Animal Adoption Event & Family Festival Returns Tomorrow & You’re Invited!
Tomorrow is the largest animal event in Fairfield County, if not the entire state. It is a huge family festival and pet adoption event in addition to the celebration of the life of and the 18th birthday of Catherine Violet Hubbard, one of the little angels at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14th, 2012.
It is called Catherine’s Butterfly Party and it held each year at the massive Fairfield Hills complex, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown, CT 06470. Over the course of the day up to 12,000 (not a typo) people come to celebrate Catherine and the other beautiful children from Sandy Hook Elementary.
From the CVH Foundation website:
You’re cordially invited to the 8th annual Catherine’s Butterfly Party – the renowned FREE FAMILY FESTIVAL WITH SUPER ADOPTION EVENT!! Every year, the sanctuary honors Catherine’s birthday and her love of animals with Catherine’s Butterfly Party, Newtown’s largest single day FREE event welcoming over 12,000 people! This year, the celebration falls on a very special day – June 8th – what would have been her 18th birthday. We’re so excited to see Catherine’s Butterfly Party growing up right along with her. 2024 promises to be our best event yet, bringing smiles, purrs and tail wags to all!
12,000 guests annually 31+ animal rescue organizations featuring over 200 adoptable animals 151+ animals adopted last year including dogs, cats, turtles, hamsters, guinea pigs & more! Live “ambassador” wildlife, police k-9 & educational presentations Pet related vendors, local artisans, food trucks, live music, entertainment & endless activities for kids!
The CVH Animal Sanctuary is committed to helping animals in need find the loving homes they deserve. Thanks to our sponsors, Catherine’s Butterfly Party always remains FREE to participating rescues AND the public. This allows hard working animal welfare groups to focus on their animals while we take care of everything else.
Westport Shows Our Pride For All To See
Two of the more glamorous participants in Sunday’s Westport Pride event, Angelina Fierce Doll (L) and Bleach (R) flank one of the many performers who entertained the crowd.
Pride In Our Town, Pride In Each Other
Westport Pride's annual Pride Celebration took place on Sunday, June 2, at Jesup Green in Westport, Connecticut. This joyous event was filled with vibrant local performances, engaging activities, and heartfelt community spirit.
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Brian McGunagle For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The celebration included Girl Scout Troop 51003 raising the pride flag, setting the tone for a day of inclusivity and love. Attendees were treated to an array of local talent, featuring performances by Westport students including Bridget Reddy, The Corduroys, Imogen Medoff, Next Day Delivery, Alyssa Lee, Josie Pines, Echo Bodell, and Jonathan Ridel of The Rubber Skulls. All performers were from Westport except for Ridel.
Highlighting the event, State Treasurer Erick Russell spoke, and Senator Ceci Maher presented a State General Assembly citation in recognition of Westport Pride’s significant contributions to the community with Represetative Jonathan Steinberg. Additionally, First Selectwoman Jen Tooker offered a Proclamation to officially declare June as Pride Month in Westport, underscoring the town's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Brian McGunagle For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Above are some of the day’s performers on stage entertaining the crowd. Several performed original songs which passionately told their story and their truth.
The celebration included a Drag Story Time with local drag queens Angelina Fierce Doll and Bleach, who added their unique flair and energy to the festivities. There were a variety of family friendly activities including arts and crafts, face painting, and yard games. With food trucks and local vendors on site, there were plenty of delicious options and unique items to explore.
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Brian McGunagle For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Cantor Julia Cadrain of Temple Israel and the Right Rev. Kari Nicewander of Saugatuck Congregational Church offered song, prayers and blessings at the start and conclusion of the event, fostering a sense of unity and peace.
Photos By J.C. Martin, Story by Brian McGunagle For WestportLocalPress.com. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
