OLDS — On July 17 scads of live butterflies will be released in memory of loved ones who’ve passed away and as a fundraiser for the Olds & District Hospice Society (ODHS).
People can release them on their own or do so as part of an in-person event at the Olds College wetlands.
The ceremony will start just after 10 a.m. The plan is to have a minister say a short prayer followed by beautiful live music. Then the butterflies will be released.
Plans call for the butterflies to be released every half hour until 12 p.m., depending on COVID restrictions in place at that time.
“It depends on how many people are able to gather in one area,” ODHS executive director Mary Smith wrote in an email.
“The release of butterflies is a healing experience that can comfort family and friends who have experienced a loss," the ODHS website says. “They are also often considered beautiful representations of the various stages of life and demonstrate that despite adversity time can make life even more beautiful than before.
“We understand that it's been a difficult time for everyone but now more than ever we want to connect and to extend that hope, healing and connection.”
The butterflies come in small decorative boxes. The cost is $25 per butterfly, $225 for 10, and $500 for 25. They are being sold until June 30 and will then be available for curbside pickup on July 16.
If people can't be there in person to have their butterflies released during the event, ODHS volunteers will do so and share a video of it afterward.
“We were looking for a way to remember loved ones in a ceremony setting over the summer and researched other hospice society memorial ceremonies,” Smith wrote.
“We thought this one was a beautiful way to remember and that it would bring healing to those that took part in it.”
Painted butterflies were chosen because they are “very brightly coloured and will survive well in our area and not cause any harm," she said.
So far, about $500 has been raised since sales began in late May, she said.
July 17 was chosen as the date for the butterfly release because that’s well apart from other ODHS memorial events like the Hike For Hospice which is held each May, the Tree of Remembrance ceremony, held in November, and an online memorial they plan to hold in early February, she said.
“We thought that it would be nice during the summer for people to have an event to remember those that they have lost through the healing ceremony of releasing a butterfly into nature,” Smith said.
