Releasing Monarch butterflies he'd purchased last summer in memory of his mother and mother-in-law was a beautiful moment for Leo Lefebvre.
The Maison Vale Hospice board chair said he thought about how the butterflies were flying up high in the sky to be with Alice Lefebvre and Gabrielle Duguay, who both passed away in 2009.
As the butterfly release is a joint fundraiser for Maison Vale Hospice and Warmhearts Palliative Caregivers Sudbury/Manitoulin, it especially brought up memories of the last month of Alice's life, which was spent at the hospice.
“It was nice being able to spend time with her at the end of her life,” Leo said. “There were joyous moments, there were sad moments. Just incredible.”
This year's KIA Butterflies and Memories event takes place July 21 starting 2 p.m. at Fielding Memorial Park in Lively. People are invited to purchase butterflies for $30 in memory of loved ones.
Northern Life is a sponsor of the event.
Butterflies are often a symbol used by palliative care, as they represent the beauty of nature, transformation and new beginnings.
“Looking at all those butterflies leaving all at once last year, and the kids chasing the butterflies, it was just amazing,” Leo said. “You would never think it was a fundraising event.”
Nathalie Depatie, fund development co-ordinator with Maison Vale Hospice, said they've ordered 500 butterflies for the event, but they're hoping the demand will be so high they'll have to order more.
She said about 1,000 people showed up to last year's event. About $12,000 was raised for the two organizations.
“It should be a fantastic day,” Depatie said. “Lots of emotion, lots of families, and lots of memories.”
Warmhearts board member Gord Nicholls said last year's event was inspiring.
Everywhere you turned, you saw children chasing butterflies and “there were parents and grandparents watching them, and thinking about the people who they bought the butterflies for.”
While Warmhearts is looking to raise funds through the event, Nicholls said the organization also hopes to raise awareness of what it does.
“The board talked a lot about people who have come to us time after time in crisis, at the last moment because the family just is having such a difficult time,” he said.
“They're trying to be there for their loved one, but they're wearing themselves out. If we can get people to be aware of what's out there for them when they need us, and they don't have to wait until the last minute, then an event like this is critical.”
To purchase a butterfly, phone Maison Vale Hospice at 705-674-9252, Warmhearts at 705-677-0077 or KIA Sudbury Motors at 705-524-2404.
