A Maple Ridge retirement home is inviting the public to come down and release a butterfly into the wild as part of a new fundraiser.
Sunwood will be hosting this butterfly release event on July 31, where both its elderly residents and members of the community are expected to raise hundreds of dollars for local charities.
Tara Brandolini, community relations manager for Sunwood, said that the idea for this fundraiser came from their activities coordinator.
"Joanne actually raises butterflies and has done this in her other sites that she has worked at, and they’ve been very successful," said Brandolini.
Not only will people get to see a colourful cloud of butterflies set free, but there will also be plenty of refreshments and live music to enjoy courtesy of Goby Catt and the Catt Pack Jazz Trio.
The choice to release butterflies was made because of the significance they hold in modern culture, explained Brandolini.
Butterflies are often seen as a metaphor for transitions and hope, which Brandolini said makes them the perfect symbol for honouring loved ones who have passed away.
Participants can acknowledge the personal change they experience when a loved one passes away and do it while also supporting local charities.
The $25 cost for each butterfly will be donated to the Ridge Meadows Hospice Society, with non-perishable food donations for the Ridge Meadows Seniors Society Food Bank also being accepted at the event.
Anyone wanting to participate in this fundraiser can reserve their butterfly by July 22 by calling 604-463-5527, with cash-only payments accepted at the reception desk of Sunwood, located at 12241 224 St., Maple Ridge.
The butterfly release will take place on Wednesday, July 31, at 2 p.m., with butterflies available to be picked up at 1:30 p.m.
