Community Nurses Hospice Announces 6th Annual Butterfly Release

The Community Nurses 6th annual Butterfly Release for Hospice will take place on Sunday August 3 at 3:00 p.m. in the beautiful Serenity Garden at Penn Highlands Elk, 763 Johnsonburg Road. Started in 2009 to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Community Nurses, this inspiring event has quickly become one of the most popular, annual summer traditions in the area.

The Butterfly Release will begin with a blessing by the Hospice Chaplin, Pastor David Pflieger, followed by readings, music, and the reading of the names of those being honored. The release of over 200 live butterflies is the highlight of this special celebration of life, followed by light refreshments. The butterflies, which are available for purchase ahead of time, are released to pay tribute to loved ones who have passed away or who have impacted our lives in some special way. All donations for this event, which is free and open to the public, benefit the Community Nurses Hospice program.

"When the tranquil and beautiful Serenity Garden, located behind our St. Marys office, opened in 2008 it provided the perfect setting to host the Butterfly Release,” explains Ann Bauer, co-founder of the Butterfly Release. “Since then, the Butterfly Release has become an annual event sponsored by our hospice program to remember our deceased loved ones and honor those who hold a special place in our hearts. The sight of the colorful butterflies as they take flight never loses its magic.”

To purchase a butterfly, please download the Release Order Form and print an order form under Special Events. Forms can also be picked up at all Community Nurses offices, as well as in the lobbies of Penn Highlands Elk and Pinecrest Manor, St. Marys Pharmacy, Cliffe’s in Ridgway, CVS in Johnsonburg, SMP Pharmacy in Kane, Bennett’s Valley Pharmacy, and the Senior Center in Kersey. A very limited number of butterflies will be available for purchase at the event.

It is not necessary to sponsor a butterfly to attend this free public event. All are encouraged to gather at The Serenity Garden on August 3 at 3:00 p.m. to join in remembrance or in honor of your loved ones.

Please submit orders for butterflies by July 25 in order to prepare for the event. For more information please contact Denise K. Bish, Donations/Event Coordinator for Community Nurses, at 814.781.4773.