Newtown Teen Finds Purpose Volunteering At Animal Sanctuary

NEWTOWN, CT — At just 16, Newtown High School junior Ava Lombardo has already built a reputation as a dedicated volunteer and emerging leader at the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, where her passion for animals and community service has earned her a spot on the sanctuary’s junior executive board.

Lombardo first encountered the sanctuary at a pet adoption event in Greenwich when she was in elementary school. Soon after, she began volunteering, organizing service projects through her Girl Scout troop. Her enthusiasm and reliability led staff members to invite her to join the sanctuary’s leadership team for young volunteers.

“I’m a huge animal lover,” Lombardo said. “I just want to hold them, take care of them—any animal. And I love meeting new people who share that same passion.”

On the junior executive board, Lombardo helps plan events and fundraisers, such as food drives and the sanctuary’s “Cups of Kindness” initiative. She also serves as a mentor to younger members and provides feedback on upcoming projects and promotional efforts.

“They really make sure we’re involved in what’s going on,” she said of the sanctuary’s directors. “They want to hear what we think, which makes it all the more meaningful.”

Lombardo, who turns 17 in April, says she’s drawn to leaders who are confident in their ideas and willing to collaborate. “It’s inspiring when someone isn’t afraid to share something new and build off that with others,” she said.

Looking ahead, Lombardo hopes to study marine biology in college—an ambition rooted in the same passion for animals that fuels her volunteer work in Newtown.

“I just love taking care of them,” she said. “It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”

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