Columbus Community Hospital Annual Butterfly Release Takes Flight

A yearly fundraiser will take flight again at Columbus Community Hospital with the ninth annual butterfly release.

The event is heartwarming for the community to enjoy, as hundreds of painted lady butterflies take to the air. It takes place from 10:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, July 8, on the hospital's southwest lawn. Members of the public can buy butterflies for $10 each by visiting www.columbushosp.org/butterfly_release.aspx.

"This annual summer event is well-anticipated, with attendees from 50 miles or more away participating,” said Angie Ramaekers, volunteer and guest services director. “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 release day. When individuals receive their butterflies, they can let them go anytime during the hour-and-a-half-long- event. Flower gardens and sugar water will be available on the hospital grounds to nourish the butterflies.

Ramaekers has ordered 300 butterflies for the release. If there are extras available, participants who want to buy butterflies on the event day can purchase them for $10 each.

Volunteer services will use proceeds from the butterfly sales to support Columbus-area residents diagnosed with cancer through Columbus Community Hospital's patient navigator program.

For more information about the butterfly release, contact Angie Ramaekers at 402-562-3365 or adramaeker@columbushosp.org.