The Newtown boys’ Rec Plus soccer team organized an exhibition game and took on the Newtown High School junior varsity squad at Blue & Gold Stadium on October 20, in a fundraising event to benefit the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary. Ticket sales, a bake sale, and donations raised $1,300.

On November 1 at Newtown High, a check was given from student organizers and Rec Plus team representatives Jake Paré and Nick Dushi to Jenny Hubbard, founder of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, and mother of Catherine, who died on 12/14.

Newtown Rec Plus is a team organized through the Newtown Soccer Club. Many of the players have participated in a variety of town and high school soccer programs over the years and all reside in Newtown. They scrimmage two times each week and play a handful of games against other towns in Fairfield County. The Rec Plus team won the game 2-1. The Rec Plus squad scored first on a header from Bryce Bisset. In the second half, the JV team scored off a free kick opportunity by Adem Selmani to tie the game. The winning goal was scored by Tucker Depuy, assisted by JP Ford.

The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary was created in memory of Catherine to honor her love of, and interest in caring for, animals.

According to the website, cvhfoundation.org, “Our mission is to enrich the lives of all beings by promoting compassion and acceptance. Our compassion and acceptance programs are a reflection of Catherine’s passions: a wonder for the outdoors, a sense of discovery, and caring for animals. Our vision is a more compassionate and accepting world.”

Among those who helped make the fundraiser possible through the bake sale, ticket sales, and officiating and announcing the game were Steven Vournazos, Caroline DePinto, Natalie Barden, Caroline Malin, Andrea Conrod, Julia Klein, Katerina Rosen, Jack Lyon, Will Connors, Stephen Dooley, Rick Irving, and Collin Hoffman.