After a hiatus due to the forced sequestration brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Harbor Foundation Butterfly Release is returning to Southeast Texas with a free public celebration of life and hope on Saturday, April 22, at the Ford Park Arena in Beaumont, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The event, hosted rain-or-shine inside and outside the facility, will feature free food and free children’s activities donated by local businesses. The butterfly release will begin in the grassy area near the box office at 1:45 p.m.
Dr. Qamar Arfeen, founder of Harbor Healthcare System and Harbor Foundation Board Chairman, said the annual Butterfly Release began roughly a decade ago as a way to celebrate life. Having served families for 17 years at Harbor Hospice, Arfeen said he is acutely aware of the number of Southeast Texans separated from a loved one that has transitioned on from this life.
“This is for the many families who have loved ones not with them,” Arfeen said. “They release butterflies in memory of them; it’s a celebration of life.”
Thousands flock to the annual butterfly-themed event.
“It’s an amazing sight to see when we release all the butterflies,” said Brenna Rodriguez, who has been with the Harbor Healthcare System since 2006 and is currently serving as the Chair of the Development Committee. “It is so well supported and attended in Southeast Texas, we’ve had to move locations over the years.”
In addition to offering a free food and drinks, free children’s activities, and swag from sponsors, the event also offers the nonprofit Harbor Foundation an outlet to raise funds for the programs provided to families of hospice patients throughout Southeast Texas.
Business sponsors are still being accepted, and presale butterflies are currently available until April 14 online for just $10 at www.harborfoundation.com. T-shirts are available for $20 presale.
“All proceeds go the Foundation,” Arfeen explained, which assists patients and families affected by illness requiring hospice care – whether they receive that care from Harbor Hospice or not. Funds have been used to help families pay monthly bills, for funerals, medications… “There aren’t many foundations that take care of families while their loved ones are in hospice.”
The Harbor Foundation, established in 2006 to provide hospice education to the community, has grown to encompass a stated mission dedicated to “improving the quality of life for terminally ill patients, assisting bereaved family members, providing education about hospice benefits, and such other charitable acts as may be approved by the Board of Directors.”
The annual Butterfly Release is one of two of the Foundation’s largest fundraising events – a Foundation that Arfeen further explains runs through completely charitable giving.
“Everyone who works for it is on a volunteer basis,” he said.
T-shirts and butterflies purchased online at harborfoundation.com until April 14 can be picked up at the event. Follow Harbor Foundation Facebook page facebook.com/HarborFoundation, for event updates.
“Hospice fills a critical need in the community,” Arfeen said, adding that the transition of life is something all families face at some point. “We have been here for 17 years, and have touched almost every family’s life in Southeast Texas.”
“All these years, it has been heavily supported by the community. Everyone has someone to celebrate.”