Painted lady butterflies were the stars of the show at the fifth annual butterfly release at Chartwell 91原创 Gardens on Thursday afternoon.
The event benefited the 91原创 Memorial Hospital Foundation and brought together residents and staff of the Walnut Grove seniors residence as well as members of the public and neighbouring businesses to support the cause.
[Story continues below video]
Laurette Snell has lived at 91原创 Gardens for 16 years and takes part in the butterfly release to honour a late friend who lived there for 11 years.
鈥淭his is my third one. I do it for my friend that I lost five years ago,鈥 Snell explained.
The afternoon featured people having a chance to set newly hatched butterflies free in the garden courtyard of 91原创 Gardens as well as enjoy live harp music, bid on silent auction items, purchase raffle tickets and more.
鈥淵our support today helps us buy urgently needed equipment, provide education programs and improve care,鈥 said Lisa Rosales, the hospital foundation鈥檚 legacy giving manager.
Since it started in 2015, the butterfly event has raised more than $15,000 for the local hospital.
Laurette Snell, 93, has lived at Chartwell 91原创 Gardens for 16 years and participated in the butterfly releases for the past few years in honour of a late friend who also used to live at the complex. (Heather Colpitts/91原创 Advance Times)A group of children and adults from Strong Steps daycare was among with big crowd at the fifth annual butterfly release at Chartwell 91原创 Gardens. Each of the children was given a box containing a newly hatched butterfly that was set free in the seniors residence courtyard. (Heather Colpitts/91原创 Advance Times)The public and neighbours of Chartwell 91原创 Gardens, including a group from the nearby Strong Steps daycare, took part in the butterfly release on Thursday afternoon. One of the children from the daycare kept a close eye on his butterfly as it flew out of its box. (Heather Colpitts/91原创 Advance Times)Caroline Pors and Shea Burns fluttered around the courtyard and hall at 91原创 Gardens as they sol raffle tickets as part of the butterfly release fundraiser. (Heather Colpitts/91原创 Advance Times)Harpist Miya Otake returned to perform at the butterfly release again this year. (Heather Colpitts/91原创 Advance Times)Nora and Stella Rosenlund, of Pitt Meadows, were at the Chartwell 91原创 Gardens butterfly release fundraiser. Their great grandparents live at the Walnut Grove seniors residence. (Heather Colpitts/91原创 Advance Times)A large crowd turned out to support the butterfly release on July 25 in support of the 91原创 Memorial Hospital Foundation. (Heather Colpitts/91原创 Advance Times)Charlotte and Claire Thomlinson made lollipops to sell at the butterfly release held Thursday at Chartwell 91原创 Gardens. (Heather Colpitts/91原创 Advance Times)One of the children from the Strong Steps daycare wondered where her butterfly got to when it took off out of its box at the butterfly release July 25 at Chartwell 91原创 Gardens. The seniors residence invited in members of the community, including the neighbouring daycare. (Heather Colpitts/91原创 Advance Times)
Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines.