ALBANY - In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which begins in October, Liberty House of Albany will be hosting its third annual Butterfly Release ceremony on Oct. 3.  The event is held in honor of loved ones who have died or to honor those that fill lives with love, joy and hope, said Liberty House Program Director Keisha Massey.

"The event is important because the community has an opportunity to honor a person that has been very important to them," she said. "It was originally in honor of victims of domestic violence or those that have been able to rise above that traumatic experience, but now it is open to anyone who feels the need to honor someone special."

Massey said that live butterflies of all different varieties are available for purchase in honor of an individual and they will be released at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Ray Charles Plaza.

"We have actually dropped the price of the butterflies from last year because of the recession," she said. "They (the butterflies) were $10 last year and now that are available for $5 each."

Massey said that the price was dropped to allow everyone in the community to participate in the event.

"The butterflies come individually packaged and we release them all at the same time," she said. "They are so beautiful once they wake up and fly out of the little containers (that they are housed in)."

Massey said that discounts are also available for individuals who want to purchase multiple butterflies.

The names of the individuals honored will be read during the event and also published in a program.

"We had about 250 participants last year," Massey said. "Hopefully, we will be able to do more this year."

She said that the event is a touching memorial to those who have impacted our lives and is symbolic of the journey of all survivors of domestic violence.

"It is a way to shine the light on a dark experience," Massey said. "It gives (survivors and victims) hope and shows them that there is a way out, that everyone can have the chance to blossom and fly freely like a butterfly."

Butterflies can be reserved by calling the Liberty House at (229) 439-7094.