Animal sanctuary gift honors victim of Sandy Hook shooting

NEWTOWN — A cryptocurrency charity that raises money for animal welfare organizations has donated $50,000 to an animal sanctuary founded in the memory of a Sandy Hook victim with “an empathy for all creatures.”

Pawthereum, a “decentralized, community-run charity” that converts digital currency into dollars to benefit shelters and other animal welfare organizations, announced its donation to the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary on Tuesday, the ninth anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting, when 20 first-graders and six educators were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

The 34-acre animal sanctuary on Old Farm Road, which will offer veterinary care, animal boarding and hands-on events for the public when it’s built, has been running wildlife education programs and family-themed events since its founding.

Pawthereum’s donation will benefit one of those programs — the Senior Paw Project, an outreach for elderly individuals who face difficulty caring for their pets. The Senior Paw Project, which operates in 12 towns, has helped provide veterinary care and 250,000 meals for pets in need, according to a release.

Pawthereum’s donation will help the Senior Paw Project expand to as many as 10 additional towns in 2023, the release said.

“We are humbled that our work to make a kinder and more compassionate world for animals has been recognized by Pawthereum,” said Jennifer Hubbard, Catherine’s mother and the executive director of the animal sanctuary, in a prepared statement. “To receive such a generous donation from Pawthereum affords us the opportunity to honor Catherine’s mission and help so many more animals in need.”

A Pawthereum official said the organization has donated $300,000 to animal welfare groups such as the Hubbard sanctuary since its founding in October.

“Pawthereum was born out of the idea that cryptocurrencies can be a tremendous force for good in the world,” said Pawthereum project leader Nawzad Amiri in a prepared statement. “We’re proud to kick off our 12 Days of Crypto Giving this December with the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary and help boost the amazing work they are doing in their community.”

A Pawthereum team member with Newtown roots donated an additional $25,000 to the Hubbard sanctuary, the release said. Matthew Courchene-Roy, whose family “knew several of the children who were slain in the Sandy Hook Elementary school tragedy,” said he wanted to honor “the work being done in Catherine’s memory.”