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