Butterflies in Flight fundraiser honours loved ones while supporting patient care at Carleton Place hospital

Families and friends gathered in Beckwith Township last week to connect with nature, remember your loved ones, and raise money for patient care equipment at the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH).

The Butterflies in Flight – Paying Tribute to the Legacy, Generosity, and Gratitude memorial event brought community members together at Brunton Hall on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 for an evening of reflection, guided meditation and the symbolic release of Painted Lady Butterflies.

According by the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital Foundation (CPDMHF), who organized the event, the Painted Lady Butterfly symbolizes hopes, love and transformation and is often used in spiritual ceremonies as a way to pay homage to lost loved ones.

“Butterflies in Flight was a beautiful reminder of the strength, compassion, and generosity that define our community,” said Linda McGreevy, past chair of the CPDMHF board of directors. “Watching families come together to honour loved ones while giving back to the hospital was incredibly moving.”

The annual event offers residents a way to combine personal healing with communal fundraising, as proceeds and sponsorships from the event will go towards the purchase of medical equipment for the hospital.

Brad Harrington, president and CEO of the Mississippi River Health Alliance (MRHA), said these community fundraising initiatives plays a direct role in improving local health care.

“Every gift made through the Foundation has a direct impact on the care we provide,” Harrington emphasized. “Events like Butterflies in Flight remind us that our community stands beside its hospital — not only during times of celebration, but also in moments of remembrance.”

CPDMHF also thanked Beckwith Township for hosting the event and providing the venue, as well as local volunteers, sponsors and supporters who helped make the fundraiser possible.

A special recognition was given to Rebecca, owner of Arborvida, who led guests through a guided mindfulness meditation before the butterfly release, creating what organizers described as “a peaceful space for reflection, remembrance, and healing”

CPDMHF said they plan to bring Butterflies in Flight back next year, hoping to establish the fundraiser as an staple annual tradition in the community.