Hundreds of butterflies released to symbolize celebration of life

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Anyone who has lost a loved one knows that the grieving process is never easy

For this reason, Port Foundation A day was organized to commemorate those who left and to try to ease the hearts of those who remember them.

“It’s just about honoring your loved ones, we’re here to remember the loved ones we’ve lost,” said Amber Cooper, Harbor Hospice community education coordinator.

“We’re here to release the butterflies and celebrate their lives,” said Brenna Rodriguez, who is involved with the foundation.

Hundreds of people from around the lake came together at the Amphitheater for the 6th butterfly release.

This year’s events were a huge success for the fundraiser; All butterflies were sold out in the first hour of the event.

“It started as a really small way for hospice families when they lost their loved ones to celebrate their lives, to share memories of their loved ones, and then it really grew from there as a fundraiser to pay our debt back to the communities that we serve,” said Rodriguez.

Hospice can be extremely difficult for everyone involved

But the Harbor Foundation hopes to make the transition peaceful.

“To have a hospice here and to be able to offer families a way to deal with the pain of losing a loved one and to come here and see the ceremony and see them celebrate their lost loved one,” Cooper said.

For some, Butterflies can symbolize hope, healing, and new beginnings.

So they hope that people here can feel this sense of hope as they go through the difficult process called pain.