In 2023, Niagara Hospice invited Niagara County schools to participate in a simple but meaningful initiative for November’s Hospice & Palliative Care Month: the “Thinking of You” campaign. The idea was heartfelt and uncomplicated – Niagara Hospice would provide butterfly coloring sheets for students to decorate, and these colorful creations would be delivered to patients and caregivers experiencing the hospice journey.
What happened next exceeded every expectation.
Thirty-one schools participated, contributing thousands of beautifully decorated butterflies. The impact was immediate and profound. Patients and caregivers shared how the artwork brightened their rooms and their spirits. Some displayed the butterflies on their nightstands as a daily reminder that someone was thinking of them. Others were amazed to learn that their artist attended the same elementary school they once did – small coincidences that sparked smiles and stories. And many simply felt touched knowing that a child took time to create something just for them.
When Kindness Finds Its Way Back.
Fast-forward to September 2025, the family of one of our patients reached out to us. They wanted Niagara Hospice to know how much comfort the butterfly their loved one received had brought him during his hospice journey.
The simple gesture had stayed with him so deeply that, before his passing, he selected a “special friend” – a small keepsake he hoped could be gifted to the student who created his butterfly as a token of gratitude.
Knowing it might be a long shot, the family asked whether Niagara Hospice could help make a connection. Our team traced the butterfly back to George Southard Elementary School in Lockport. While the exact student artist couldn’t be identified, the school was moved by the patient’s heartfelt intention. Wanting to honor the gesture, school leadership proposed a beautiful idea: to display the “special friend” and the story behind it in a place at the school where all students, families, staff, and visitors could see it.
The patient’s family was pleased by this outcome and felt this was a meaningful way to honor their loved one’s wishes. They were grateful to know that his act of kindness – born from a child’s artwork – would continue to inspire others. Through this shared story, countless people would be reminded of the power of connection, compassion, and the impact one small gesture can have.
This experience is a testament to something we see often at Niagara Hospice: even the simplest acts of kindness – like coloring a butterfly – can brighten someone’s day, offer comfort, and create a ripple effect of hope that extends far beyond what we can see.