As a special initiative the International Association of Butterfly Breeders (IBBA) members adopt a service organization in their community and during the month of August, and donate their time, livestock or both to provide seriously ill or at-risk individuals and their families the opportunity to encounter and learn about these beautiful winged creatures.

In some cases, breeders will visit residential or day facilities and donate caterpillar life-cycle kits, providing participants with the chance to see the caterpillars grow and change into butterflies right before their eyes.

Other breeders may bring live butterflies on-site and provide hands-on educational programs. Breeders may also opt to share their knowledge to help facilities create butterfly gardens, flight cages, or provide information in other areas of expertise. Participants may even get to witness a butterfly release as part of a program.

Some possible organizations that breeders may adopt include local chapters of the following in their communities :

- Ronald McDonald Houses

- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

- Muscular Dystrophy Association

- Sickle Cell Society

- Make-A-Wish Foundation

- Local women's and children's shelters

- Summer children's camps for the American Cancer Society, Breathe Easy and other camps for seriously ill individuals

- Programs and centers for individuals with HIV/Aids

- Programs that service individuals with mental health needs

- Any local program or facility that services seriously ill or at-risk individuals and their families in the breeder's community.

"On the Wings of Hope" is designed to provide seriously ill or at-risk individuals exposure to butterflies that they may miss because of illness, extended hospital stays, treatments and/or disruptive life events.

As breeders, we also feel that the butterfly is a natural symbol of hope that can uplift and encourage individuals and families facing difficult circumstances.

The IBBA would like to encourage any breeder or butterfly enthusiast who would like to participate to do the following:

1. Think through what you as a breeder or butterfly hobbyist would like to offer an organization, whether it would be a life-cycle kit, an educational program, setting up a display or whatever type of activity and donation you are comfortable with.

2. Contact a local organization of your choosing and confirm with them your donation and involvement with them sometime during the month of August, if possible. (Other months are acceptable if August is not a good alternative for your project.)

3. Let us know about it! Let the IBBA know your name, the name of the organization you are working with, the date, location and what you are doing. Let the Wings of Hope Coordinator know and we will see what our members can do to help.

4. Let us know how it went! We'll keep a page of everyone's reports right here on the website. Let's encourage and inspire each other!

5. Send any articles by local media to the IBBA website so we can include them in our archives. Send any web links to online articles, copies of print articles and pictures to the Wings of Hope Coordinator.