Dear Editor:
Desert Valley Hospice Society needs community votes for a grant worth $10,000 for beautification of the cemeteries and butterfly release events in Osoyoos, Oliver and Okanagan Falls.
The Butterfly Releases are a celebration to honour loved ones and the Memorial Gardens as a lasting memoriam as well as a beautification project in the cemeteries. The gardens, in partnership with the towns, along with other sponsors, will beautify areas in the cemeteries designed to create the flowering environment for an annual butterfly release.
The gardens will be built in the spring with the butterfly releases occurring in the early summer. The Memorial Gardens and annual Butterfly Releases will be open to the public as family friendly events held on-site at the cemeteries with readings from spiritual leaders, cultural and Indigenous communities, and dedications by the mayors. Each event includes live music and refreshments along with children’s activities.
The Aviva Community Fund awards 50 prizes to organizations that bring people in their community together. The Canada-wide voting competition opens Sept. 26 and closes Oct. 4. The Society requires 12,000 votes to compete with the cities. To vote, the direct link to our idea page is: www.avivacommunityfund.org/voting/project/view/18-385 and posted on our Facebook page.
Donna Gordan, Executive Director
Desert Valley Hospice Society
