Jenny Hubbard, whose daughter, 6-year-old Catherine Violet Hubbard, was killed in the Sandy Hook tragedy, looks forward every year to honoring her daughter's life and legacy on her child's birthday.
"Catherine's life and what she stood for are truly making the world a better place – and it makes me proud that she's my daughter," she said.
The ninth annual Catherine's Butterfly Party was held at the Fairfield Hills campus in Newtown.
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"Catherine loved animals. They were her passion, and she promised to take care of them," Hubbard said.
In addition to celebrating Catherine's birthday, the event builds awareness about the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, whose mission is "to enrich the lives of all beings by honoring the bond between animals, humans and the environment."
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Hundreds turned out for the event.
Catherine was one of 20 children killed, along with six adults, in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14, 2012.
Previous coverage on Catherine Violet Hubbard:
Newtown mom continues to build daughter’s legacy 12 years after Sandy Hook tragedy
Community members raise barn for Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary
Groundbreaking held for Newtown animal sanctuary in honor of Sandy Hook victim