Catherine’s Butterfly Party, a free community event that Jenny and Matt Hubbard anticipate will be an annual event celebrating the memory of their daughter, Catherine Violet Hubbard, took place Saturday, June 6, on the grounds of NYA Sports & Fitness Center at Fairfield Hills. Catherine was one of the 20 first-grade victims at Sandy Hook Elementary School, December 14, 2012. The 6-year-old loved all animals, from the tiniest insect to the largest mammal, and had always begged, Ms Hubbard told The Newtown Bee earlier this spring, for an animal birthday party.

The Saturday party was certainly one for animal lovers. A dozen animal rescue groups from the area were on site, with cats, kittens, puppies, and dogs eligible for adoption, along with dozens of vendors selling pet-related items and foods, raptor demonstrations by Horizon Wings out of Ashford, a tropical butterfly exhibit and educational butterfly information from Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory in Deerfield, Mass., therapy dogs, an agility demonstration by Newtown’s The Exceptional Pet, and many hands-on nature-based activities for children.

The lead sponsor for Catherine’s Butterfly Party was Blue Buffalo, out of Wilton. Founded in 2003, Blue Buffalo is the manufacturer of all-natural dog and cat foods. Face painting, balloon twisting, and live music by the father/daughter duo LaFrance Acoustic added to the festive spirit of the day.

Guests at the Butterfly Party had the opportunity to purchase a “Cups of Kindness” kit, for $5. Cups of Kindness is the initiative of 11-year-old Reagan Bajus of New Canaan, who raised $7,000 at a lemonade stand last fall to benefit the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary (CVHAS). Working closely with Jenny Hubbard, Reagan’s mother, Emily, helped develop the lemonade stand kits. Kits provide all that is needed to sell lemonade, except for the fresh lemons, and all profits help fund the future CVHAS. Reagan and friends Robert and Ellie Walker staffed the Cups of Kindness station at Saturday’s party.

Several of the exhibitors and vendors noted that the profits made that day would be donated to support CVHAS. The Hubbard family plans to develop an animal sanctuary and education center on 30-plus acres donated to the foundation by the state, located just beyond the Park ’n’ Bark Dog Park on Old Farm Road.

State Representative Mitch Bolinsky and US Representative Elizabeth Esty were on hand Saturday, in support of the Hubbard family and the efforts to create the animal sanctuary.

“I’m happy to be here,” said Rep Bolinsky, and added he was pleased to have worked to get the sanctuary land transferred to the Hubbard foundation.

Midway through the four-hour afternoon party, Michael Barrett, vice president of grants for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), presented a check for $50,000 to the Hubbards to support the creation of The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary. The ASPCA has been a strong supporter of the sanctuary since the foundation decided to pursue that vision, said Laura King, a spokeswoman for The CVH Foundation.

In response, the foundation is hoping to match the ASPCA donation, by August 1. To donate, visit cvhfoundation.org.