In a touching tribute to the life and legacy of a first-grader lost in the Sandy Hook tragedy, the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation hosted its third annual gala, Kindness Comes Home on November 16 in Newtown. The annual gala was a night to remember, drawing more than 300 supporters, celebrities, and animal advocates from across the region to raise funds for the construction of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, located on 34 acres in the heart of Newtown.

The yearly event, which took place at a private horse farm in Newtown, honored the life and legacy of Catherine Hubbard, a victim of 12/14, and celebrated her love for animals and kindness for all beings. The evening highlighted the sanctuary’s phenomenal programming success while showing the build progress to date. Guests also received an inside glimpse into the future design of the animal sanctuary grounds, featuring various facilities, educational programs, and environmental initiatives for animals and people alike.

In one night, $350,000 was raised for the animal sanctuary build. In addition, Earth Animal presented a check for $10,000 and, in a surprise announcement, the foundation revealed a $100,000 pledge of support from the Kaplan Foundation.

Chuck Scarborough, Emmy award-winning news veteran, guided the evening as emcee and master of ceremony while guests sipped on luxury artisan cocktails from Tito’s Handmade Vodka and enjoyed a gourmet-plated dinner.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Kindness Award to Sesame Workshop. Special guests, puppet Abby Cadabby and Alan Muraoka of Sesame Street’s Hopper’s Store, shared their support of kindness and how we can all work together to make this world a more compassionate place for all. Sesame Workshop celebrated their 50-year anniversary this month.

In addition, celebrity naturalist and animal advocate Jarod Miller brought an up close and personal introduction to the animal ambassadors from the Columbus Zoo. Guests interacted with a sloth and penguins, as Jarod shared the importance of protecting animals and their natural habitats.

Musical performances by the Madrigal Choir of Greenwich Academy and Tony award-winning performer Laura Osnes brought a spirit of peace and holiday magic to an already festive atmosphere.

Jennifer Hubbard, Catherine’s mother and executive director of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation, could not have been happier with the success of the event. “I could have never imagined that so many people would come together — year after year — to honor the memory of my daughter and support the animals that she held so dear. It gives me such hope and a grateful heart to know that we are creating a place of peace and healing for so many.”

To learn more about the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary or to donate, visit cvhfoundation.org.

About the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary

Nestled in the very heart of Newtown, and spread over 34 acres of pristine farmland, breathtaking woodlands, and rolling meadows, the home of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary is coming to life. The sanctuary pays tribute to the life of Catherine Violet Hubbard — a 6-year-old victim of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting — and will be a safe haven and place of healing that offers companion animal adoption, farm animal refuge, wildlife rehabilitation and release, and onsite educational workshops.

While funds for the sanctuary build are raised, site work has already begun at the property. Even without a building, the sanctuary is elevating kindness for animals, humans, and the environment through pet adoption and rescue collaboration events, free community workshops, in-school K-6th grade curriculum, and programs to help senior citizens keep and care for their pets. The sanctuary lands are currently open to the public from dawn until dusk, and visitors are welcome.