On a hot July afternoon, with a gentle breeze coming off Lake Nipissing, people sought shade to release their butterflies during the 15th annual Live Butterfly Release, a fundraiser for the Near North Palliative Care Network (NNPCN).
A total of 750 butterflies were purchased for release in memory of someone who has passed away.
The butterfly release took place at the Kiwanis Bandshell at the North Bay waterfront.
Kathleen Smith gently released the two butterflies she purchased in memory of her brother Brian who lost his life four years ago due to a drug overdose.
Both of her butterflies quickly settled in a nearby garden.
“I feel that my brother was very much an outdoorsman and he worked in gardens, and with plants, and this is the perfect place, I think, for him to be remembered.”
Charlotte Kenney was joined by family as she watched the butterfly she released in honour of her husband slowly open its wings.
It was her first time participating in the butterfly release.
“My husband Don Kenney passed away two years ago last February,” she explained, her voice filled with emotion.
“I think this is spectacular, it is like peace. I feel a mix of sadness and happiness. That is why I have my voice cracking because you don’t get over it. You never, ever get over it. They’re in your heart and in the butterfly.”
Jane Hill returned for a second year.
Her butterfly was released in memory of her father.
“His smile is engraved in my mind. I think of him always.”
Given their incredible life cycle, butterflies are believed to symbolize change and new beginnings.
There is a lightness to the butterfly as it spreads its wings and flies off in different directions.
Legend has it that “by making a wish and giving the butterfly its freedom, the wish will be taken to the heavens and granted.”
This year is said to mark the most butterflies ever released by the NNPCN.
“Last year we released 650 butterflies and this year we’re doing 750 which is the most we can ever release at once, mostly due to supply logistics. So, it is very exciting,” shared Preston Tapscott, the events and fundraising coordinator.
“Usually, the butterfly release raises about 18 to 20 thousand dollars, which is a substantial amount for a small charity like ours. Of course, the event does come with its own expenses.”
NNPCN, a not-for-profit organization provides “one-stop palliative care, bereavement and grief, and end of life volunteer based free services and training.”
It also provides caregiver respite.
“And friendly visits for seniors whose family may live elsewhere, and don’t have anyone to visit them and keep them company so they don’t feel forgotten. Abandonment is a real issue with seniors,” noted Tapscott.
The butterfly release is the major fundraiser for the year for NNPCN which offers its services at no cost to its clients.
“For our clients and volunteers it is a very important community event. For our volunteers, it brings them together, and our clients, many of which are grieving or maybe recently lost a loved one, or maybe came from our palliative care services and lost someone, the butterfly release is an opportunity for them to get together as a community to mourn our loved ones and also celebrate their lives in an open space,” shared Tapscott.
“Sometimes we don’t know how to grieve, and it is nice to be able to say goodbye with a smile.”
NNPCN serves people in the districts of Nipissing and East Parry Sound.
