NEWTOWN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation hosted its second ‘Butterfly Party’ to benefit the development of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary on Saturday, June 6, 2015. Approximately 2,000 people, including Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, attended the free event at the Fairfield Hills Campus in Newtown, Conn. to honor the life of Catherine Violet Hubbard and her love of animals. Both children and adults engaged in a variety of fun activities and attractions including live music, a birds of prey demonstration, a butterfly garden, face painting, balloon animals and food trucks. Mobile adoption units from the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, and the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons were also in attendance alongside local rescue groups, all with animals available for adoption.
“We are absolutely thrilled that so many businesses and organizations joined us to celebrate at this year’s Butterfly Party and helped to raise both awareness and funding for the Sanctuary,” said Jenny Hubbard, Catherine’s mother and president of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation. “Our vision is that in the years to come, Catherine’s Butterfly Party will continue to grow into a highly anticipated, annual event, bringing families and pets together in celebration of Catherine’s passion for animals.”
In addition to leading the adoption event, the ASPCA presented the Animal Sanctuary with a $50,000 grant to aid in the development of its proposed veterinary intake clinic for displaced animals. This officially kicked off a special 12-week fundraising campaign for the Foundation, with the goal of matching the ASPCA grant to reach a total of $100,000 in funding.
“The ASPCA is proud to provide this grant to the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation to support their efforts in providing care for community animals in need,” said Michael Barrett, vice president of grants management for the ASPCA. “Catherine’s kindness and compassion towards animals inspired us when we named her ASPCA’s Kid of the Year in 2013, and we look forward to seeing her legacy of love for animals live on through the work of this wonderful organization.”
Last year, the ASPCA awarded close to $14.5 million in the form of 1,288 grants to 844 unique animal welfare organizations, and has granted over $80 million to shelters, rescues and other animal welfare organizations across the country since 2008.
In addition to the matching campaign, the Butterfly Party also served as the official launch of Catherine’s Cups of Kindness, a new charitable beverage stand initiative designed to benefit the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary. The initiative allows both kids and adults to raise money and spread kindness by hosting a beverage stand to offer others a cup of lemonade or seasonal beverage. Patrons are encouraged to pay this kindness forward with a donation to support the development of the Sanctuary.
The family-focused Butterfly Party raised approximately $34,000 in financial support. Those interested in helping to bolster this total by contributing to this year’s ASPCA grant-matching campaign can make a donation to the Sanctuary at www.cvhfoundation.org, or host their own Cups of Kindness stand. For a $25 donation, volunteers can order an official Cups of Kindness kit for their stand, complete with cups, stickers and signage, at www.cvhfoundation.org/catherines-cups-of-kindness.
About the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation
The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation, Inc. is a recognized 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation was created to support 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 of compassion, acceptance and determination. For more information on the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation please visit www.cvhfoundation.org.
About the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary
The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary aims to become the national model for providing a safe haven for those animals in need of healing support. The Sanctuary will serve as a place of peace and compassion, as well as a central hub for people to come together to connect with animals and nature. We will offer adoptive services for companion animals, refuge for farm animals, and native wildlife rescue and relief services, as well as educational programs designed to foster human compassion and kindness in the community.
About the ASPCA®
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
