Butterfly release will honor loved ones, benefit hospice

Heather Rawlyk

Friday, Oct. 22, 2004 | 4:25 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

October 23 - 24, 2004

There is an old American Indian story that says if a person whispers a wish to a captive butterfly and then releases it, the message will be sent to the "Great Spirit" and the wish will come true.

And since the monarch butterfly is the Christian symbol for hospice -- representing the transformation into a new form of "everlasting life" -- the Nathan Adelson Hospice Foundation could think of no better way to honor lost loved ones than to hold a butterfly release.

On Sunday Nathan Adelson Hospice Foundation, the only nonprofit hospice in Las Vegas, will host the first Celebration of Life Live Butterfly Release from 2 to 4 p.m. at Sunset Park, Section A. The park is at the corner of Sunset Road and Eastern Avenue.

The afternoon will begin with a brief, nondenominational spiritual dedication given by the Rev. Judy Andrews and a live musical performance will follow, according to events coordinator Laura Norcia.

Then, about 150 participants will release their butterflies into the sky to "deliver messages" to loved ones who have died and "grant wishes made for those in the hospice right now," Norcia said.

"We were brainstorming some neat things we could do to honor people and someone came up with the idea," she said. "We all just thought it sounded spectacular. People can whisper these private messages to their loved ones and have hope that their loved ones will get them.

"It will just be such a special moment for people. It will also be quite a beautiful and touching thing to see."

The butterfly release will serve as a fundraiser for Nathan Adelson Hospice, Norcia said.

Participants have prepurchased a live butterfly for $20 apiece, with proceeds to benefit the hospice.

Since this is the first year of the release, the hospice purchased 215 butterflies to sell to participants, Norcia said.

"We seem to have met the exact need at this point," she said. "Once we have this as an ongoing event, it will catch on and at that point we will raise the number of butterflies made available to purchase.

"Who knows? By next year we may double the amount."

Several of the butterflies have been purchased by people who have had loved ones in the hospice, but live out of town, Norcia added.

"Some people heard about it and can't make the event, but wanted to have a butterfly released in their loved one's honor," she said. "We have staff and volunteers who are gracious to release the butterflies on their behalf."

Las Vegas resident B.J. Hawkins, who lost her husband in April 2003, heard about the butterfly release, but had already made a prior commitment.

"I'm not able to go, but I wanted to do something in my husband's honor," she said. "I also wanted to do something for my stepson Michael, who lives in Chicago, so I got a butterfly to honor my husband in his son's name."

Hawkins said she plans to have a staff member videotape parts of the event, so she can send a copy to her stepson.

Anyone is welcome to attend the event.

"This promises to be a special day, culminating with the sight of these stunning creatures gracefully fluttering skyward," said Judith Hantin, vice president of Nathan Adelson Hospice Foundation. "There is no lovelier way to honor a loved one."

For more information or to purchase a butterfly, call Nathan Adelson Hospice Foundation at (702) 938-3910.