Residents living at a Massapequa assisted living home released hundreds of painted lady butterflies Friday.

The Bristal Assisted Living and Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum joined together to educate Long Islanders on how butterflies act as important pollinators that help the environment to prosper.

"These events - when you bring butterflies to them - they almost have a nostalgic recollection of them," says Kristyn Hovanec, director of community outreach for Pinelawn Memorial Park. "They have memories of butterfly gardens; they have memories of when they were younger and it brings a fondness - they're smiling - they're in awe because they actually get to see these butterflies up close in their hands."

The butterflies were released into The Bristal's gardens.