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Butterfly release planned Saturday at Krause Berry Farms

Event will benefit Langley Lodge and Langley Hospice Society, who are working together on a number of projects.

The Langley Lodge and Langley Hospice Society are inviting the community to join them for their joint butterfly release on Saturday, July 5 at the popular Krause Berry Farms and Estate Winery, located at 6179 – 248 St. in Langley.

The event will kick off at 1 p.m., and at 1:30 p.m., more than 200 Monarch butterflies will be released to take flight for the first time. This event is open to the public, and individuals can release their own butterfly, through a $20 donation, via the Langley Lodge, Langley Hospice Society, or onsite at Krause Farms.

There are limited quantities available, so pre-ordering is recommended.

“This poignant celebration has become an annual event for Langley Lodge,” said Terry Metcalfe, president of the Langley Care Foundation. “This year we have invited the Langley Hospice Society to join us, leading up to another exciting collaboration between our two organizations for a silver screen-themed gala this fall. The release is much anticipated by residents, family and friends of all ages, and we are so excited about the opportunity to invite the community to participate in this year’s event.”

Krause Berry Farms and Estate Winery is the event sponsor and host, and other sponsors of the event are Re/Max Treeland Realty. Joy TV and Flutterbuys.

Funds raised go to development of the therapeutic recreation programming, in order to provide enhanced activities and therapies to Langley Lodge residents seven days a week.

Funds also go to  Langley Hospice Society to expand the palliative care and grief support programs they offer, to meet the growing needs of children, teens, adults and families they serve, free of charge within the community.

In addition to the butterfly release, residents at Langley Lodge have been learning techniques to successfully breed Painted Ladies at the residence.

“Butterfly farming offers therapeutic benefits,” explained Langley Lodge therapeutic recreation co-ordinator, Charlene Koop. “The growth cycle of a caterpillar evolving into a butterfly offers an amazing opportunity to engage people’s interest and imagination.”

This year, she has also extended this experience to Langley Hospice staff. Palliative support co-ordinator, Fernande Ouellette and children and youth bereavement co-ordinator, Linda Sheridan will provide this same opportunity for their Teen Grief Support program. They are raising the Painted Ladies for release at their upcoming “Moments in Focus” photography show.

There is a First Nation legend that says “…if you desire a wish to come true you must first capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it. The butterfly will carry your wish to the heavens. As the butterfly makes no sound, It’s voice cannot be heard by anyone but the Great Spirit, who will grant your wish as a reward for setting the butterfly free to return to him.”

Further information is available from Patrick Matiowski at Langley Care Foundation at pmatiowski@langleylodge.org or by phone: 604-532-4200 ext.4116 or contact Shannon Todd Booth at Langley Hospice Society at shannontoddbooth@langleyhospice.com, or by phone: 604-530-1115.