The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation's 2nd annual gala earlier this month raised more than $438,000.  The foundation is named for a girl killed on 12/14 and was formed by her parents.  The fundraiser was held at a private horse farm in Newtown and celebrated Catherine's love for animals and kindness for all beings.  The animal sanctuary will feature educational programs and environmental initiatives for animals and people alike.   

When the land was conveyed to the sanctuary it was riddled with invasive plants.  They've cleared an acre of invasive vines.  20 sugar maple trees at the event were transported and planted at the sanctuary property.  The trees will restore the original grandeur to the property and be home to overwintering birds. 

The property was rezoned and all of the approvals for phase one work are in place.  The initial site work will begin on March 1st.  The work includes creating a huge retaining wall, which will be transformed into a butterfly garden.  Hubbard says they'll transform the infrastructure into a habitat for the monarch migration, helping a declining species.

A Wilton-based pet food company donated $250,000 for the creation of the “Blue Buffalo Reception Area” in the sanctuary’s future veterinary intake center.  Williams Architectural Millwork of Newtown promised to donate all millwork fabrication labor for Catherine’s Library, in the new building.  The the main building will host educational classes.  On site programming right now is held in tents and is weather-dependent.  The veterinary intake facility will be shared with local rescue groups.

The inaugural Catherine Violet Hubbard Kindness Award was also presented at the gala.  Dr. Jane Goodall, world-renowned primatologist, said during a video acceptance speech, that she supports the sanctuary’s mission and the common goal of compassion for all living creatures.