North Bay holds annual butterfly release

North Bay holds annual butterfly release Butterflies were released at the North Bay waterfront on Saturday to remember and honour those who have passed away.

Families gathered at the North Bay's Kiwanis Bandshell waterfront this afternoon to release butterflies in honour of loved ones who have passed away.

The butterfly release is held by the Near North Palliative Care Network and the butterflies represent a celebration of life and peace.

“We are here to honour one of our co-workers who passed away in her sleep in April, I worked with Karen for six years,” said Sue Ranger.

“We have 12 butterflies we are able to release in her name. It’s great, we are doing this in honour of her.”

Another woman at the event said she was remembering her late sister.

“My sister was killed two years ago, I miss her so much. She would be down here doing this if she was alive,” said Wendy Powell.

The group released 650 butterflies during the ceremony on Saturday afternoon – the 14th edition of the annual event.

“Everybody here has a story to tell about someone that they’ve lost,” said hospice coordinator Scott Gardiner.

“The fact that we’re here gathered as a community to honour them is amazing. It gives people in the community a place to gather, it’s an incredible moment that binds everyone together, we just love doing it.”

Each butterfly is purchased – with money raised going back to the Near North Palliative Care Network to financially support the hospice’s care, visitation, bereavement support and training services.

“Just to see all the butterflies fly around and land on people,” said Gardiner.

“We’ve had stories where someone released a butterfly for their loved one and it landed on them and stayed with them all day. It just means everything to them.”

Fore more infomation on this event or the Near North Palliative Care Network's work, visit their Facebook page.