Butterflies take flight in Langley for pair of causes

The Langley Hospice Society and the Langley Lodge have joined together for one of Langley’s gentlest fundraisers.

A Butterfly Release will be held at Krause Berry Farms and Estate Winery at 6179 248 St. on Saturday at 1 p.m. where the community is invited to come out and witness more than 200 butterflies embark upon their first flights.

With only 200 butterflies available, Terry Metcalfe, president of the Langley Care Foundation, advises pre-ordering to avoid any disappointment.

A $20 donation reserves a butterfly for release through the Langley Lodge, Langley Hospice Society, or on site at Krause Farms if supplies last.

“This poignant celebration has become an annual event for Langley Lodge,” said Metcalfe. “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 Butterfly 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 hosted by Krause Berry Farms and Estate Winery, our event sponsor.”

Donations will go towards therapeutic recreation programming at Langley Lodge to provide residents ongoing positive activity, and will assist the Langley Hospice Society in expanding palliative care and grief support programs free of charge within the community.

Butterflies also make up therapeutic programs at both the Langley Lodge and the Langley Hospice Society through Painted Lady butterfly breeding programs.

“The growth cycle of a caterpillar evolving into a butterfly offers an amazing opportunity to engage people’s interest and imagination,” said Charlene Koop with Langley Lodge.

Saturday’s event begins at 1 p.m. with butterflies being released at 1:30 p.m.

To pre-order butterflies, contact Patrick Matiowski of the Langley Care Foundation at pmatiowski@langleylodge.org or 604-532-4200 ext.4116, or contact Shannon Todd Booth of the

Langley Hospice Society at shannontoddbooth@langleyhospice.com or 604-530-1115.