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Isabelle Ihnat, daughter of Andrea & Stephen Ihnat, releases a butterfly in memory of her little sister, Asiah, at Keithan's Bluebird Gardens during SUN Home's butterfly release on Sunday, July 26, 2009. 

NORTHUMBERLAND - SUN Home Health and Hospice will hold four butterfly releases this year to benefit its hospice program.  

The releases will be held:  Saturday, July 17 at 2 p.m. in Derry Township Community Park, Electric Avenue, Lewistown; Sunday, July 18 at 2 p.m. in Brandon Park, Williamsport; Sunday, July 25 at 2 p.m. in Keithans Bluebird Gardens, 1042 S. Front Street, Sunbury; and Sunday, August 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Perry County Fair Church Service, Newport.

Families and friends can sponsor butterflies in honor or memory of a loved one.  The donation for each honor or memorial butterfly is $25.  

The butterfly releases are a special time for individuals to come together to remember loved ones in a simple garden ceremony.  This is the ninth year SUN Home Health has offered them.  

According to Indian legend, if anyone desires a wish to come true they must first capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it.  Since a butterfly can make no sound, the butterfly can not reveal the wish to anyone but the Great Spirit who hears and sees all.  In gratitude for giving the beautiful butterfly its freedom the Great Spirit always grants the wish.  So, according to legend, by making a wish and giving the butterfly its freedom, the wish will be taken to the heavens and be granted.  

Proceeds from the releases benefit SUN Home Hospice.  SUN Home Hospice has been providing support and comfort to patients with a life-limiting illness for nearly 30 years.  The hospice team of caring professionals provide a loving focus of keeping families together by affirming and emphasizing quality of life, not length.  The professionals strive to meet the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the patients and their families.  SUN Home Hospice staff members provide explanation of disease progression and helps the patient and their family decide on the best choices for their care.  

SUN Home Health and Hospice, a not-for-profit agency, provides home health and hospice services to 14 counties throughout Central Pennsylvania.  For more information or to make a butterfly donation, call 1-888-478-6227 or visit www.sunhomehealth.com.