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Spirit of the Wings Butterfly Release Fundraiser
July 28, 2026
Mille Lacs Health System invites the community to the 26th annual Spirit of the Wings Hospice & Home Care Fundraiser on Saturday, August 15, beginning at 12:00 p.m. Due to road construction and the cancellation of Wahkon Days, this year's event will be held in the beautiful courtyard on the Mille Lacs Health System Onamia campus between Lake Song Assisted Living and the Rehab/Administration building (Enter Door L), rather than its traditional location at Ellen Ruth Park in Wahkon.
For 26 years, Spirit of the Wings has provided families with a meaningful opportunity to honor and remember loved ones through the symbolic release of Monarch butterflies while supporting local hospice services.
Community members may purchase a butterfly in memory or honor of a loved one by contacting the Mille Lacs Health System Hospice & Home Care Department at 320-532-2800 or by visiting www.mlahf.org/butterfly-release to submit names and purchase butterflies online. Those unable to attend can still participate, as a butterfly representing their loved one will be released during the ceremony.
The event begins with live music followed by a brief devotion, an overview of the hospice program, a reading of the names of those being honored and remembered, and the cherished Monarch butterfly release. New this year, attendees are invited to enjoy complimentary root beer floats following the ceremony and guided tours of the Mille Lacs Health System campus will be offered to learn more about the services available close to home.
The Mille Lacs Health System Hospice program provides compassionate, patient-centered care for individuals facing a terminal illness while supporting their families throughout the journey. The interdisciplinary team focuses on promoting dignity, comfort, and quality of life by addressing each patient's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Hospice services are provided wherever patients call home through a team that includes nurses, physical and occupational therapists, home health aides, social workers, massage therapists, physicians, pharmacists, pastors, and dedicated volunteers.
Proceeds from Spirit of the Wings help support hospice services and programs that provide comfort, compassion, and support to patients and families throughout the communities served by Mille Lacs Health System.
Hospice volunteers continue to play an essential role in the program. Mille Lacs Health System welcomes individuals interested in sharing their time and talents through hospice volunteer service. Current needs include massage therapy, music therapy, and spiritual care volunteers. Volunteers choose when and how often they serve based on their own schedules and availability. Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a hospice volunteer is encouraged to contact the Hospice & Home Care Department at 320-532-2800.
Spirit of the Wings is open to everyone, and sponsoring a butterfly is not required to attend. Whether honoring the memory of a loved one or simply supporting hospice care in our community, all are welcome to join family, friends, and neighbors for this meaningful tradition of remembrance, hope, and healing.