Annual Butterfly Release Takes Flight
A yearly fundraiser will take flight again at Columbus Community Hospital with the eighth annual butterfly release.
The event is a heartwarming sight for the community to enjoy when hundreds of painted lady butterflies take to the air. It’s from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 18, on the hospital’s southwest lawn. The public can buy butterflies for $15 each by visiting www.columbushosp.org/butterfly_release.aspx
“We are so excited to host the eighth annual butterfly release,” said Angie Ramaekers, volunteer and guest services director. “This annual summer event is well-anticipated, with attendees coming from 50 miles or more away to participate. And, one of my favorite things about the event is that it’s family-friendly.”
Organizers will display the names of honored individuals on a banner during the event.
“The event, while a fundraiser, is also sentimental,” said Ramaekers. “There is so much emotion when the butterflies are released.”
Butterflies for the release come from a farm in Florida. Caretakers feed and cool the butterflies and package them in origami envelopes when they are ready to ship. After an overnight shipment, as the butterflies begin to warm, they wake up and are prepared to fly.
Hospital staff members distribute butterflies to their sponsors on the day of the release. When individuals receive their butterflies, they can let them go anytime during the two-hour event. Flower gardens and sugar water will be available on the hospital grounds for the butterflies to receive nourishment.
Ramaekers has ordered 350 butterflies for the release. Participants who want to buy butterflies on the event day can purchase them for $20 each.
Volunteer services will use proceeds from the butterfly sales to buy Philips EPIQ Elite equipment for the hospital’s diagnostic imaging department. This equipment will complement CCH’s growing cardiology services.
For more information about the butterfly release, contact Angie Ramaekers at 402-562-3365 or adramaeker@columbushosp.org.