Champlain Centre partnered with Tobacco Free Clinton, Franklin, Essex and the Ted K Center to host Butterfly Day, on Tuesday, August 15th. The event aimed to highlight the beauty of butterflies while emphasizing the positive change that comes with quitting smoking.
The Ted K Center kids played a significant role in the event, by attending and engaging in interactive activities. Young participants enjoyed a butterfly-themed story read by Dana Isabella from Tobacco Free Clinton, Franklin, Essex, at the outdoor pollinator garden, which revealed the less glamorous aspects of butterflies.
The pollinator garden itself, a collaborative effort between Champlain Centre and Tobacco Free Clinton, Franklin, Essex, features carefully selected native plants such as milkweed and cone flowers. These plants provide essential resources for pollinators like butterflies and bees and symbolize positive change — a reminder that even small actions can have a lasting impact.
During their time in the garden, the Ted K Center kids got up close and personal with pollinators, observing butterflies and bees in action. Armed with clipboards, the children sketched their observations, fostering a deeper connection with nature and the importance of environmental preservation.
Butterfly Day was particularly significant in linking the butterfly’s transformative journey with the process of quitting smoking. Just as a caterpillar evolves into a butterfly, quitting smoking represents a powerful personal transformation that contributes to a healthier environment.
This year marks Champlain Centre’s 11th year as a smoke-free property and Butterfly Day helps celebrate that anniversary. Champlain Centre’s commitment to being a smoke-free property is a reflection of its dedication to the well-being of its visitors and the environment.
“Providing a healthy environment for our customers and merchants is our goal,” expressed Lisa Getty, General Manager of Champlain Centre. “Offering a smoke-free atmosphere goes a long way in positively impacting the well-being of the community.”
Butterfly Day continued into Champlain Centre’s Tykes Tuesday summer program. This week’s Tykes Tuesday was hosted by Reality Check. The event featured an activity for children to create butterfly-themed sun catchers.
Looking ahead, the Ted K Center kids will continue their involvement in the initiative by nurturing the caterpillars they grew and releasing them as butterflies into their garden. This continuation of the project exemplifies the lasting impact of Butterfly Day, fostering a sense of responsibility for the environment and celebrating positive transformations.