By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Dames and dolls donned diamonds and denim for a night of divine entertainment. The Avita Health System held its Dames and Dolls event at Holy Trinity School Friday night.
Avita Health System has hosted Divas and Darlings events in Galion for the past few years and chose to host a similar one in Bucyrus this year.
“We started the event in Galion about three years ago. We wanted to do something for the community here, for the ladies here, to raise awareness of what’s happening with Avita Health System and to call attention to the need of what we’re doing with the renovation and maternity unit,” explained Avita Health Foundation Director Tammy Schott.
“I think the event turned out very nice,” said Schott. “For our first time here, it’s something significant. We received a lot of nice comments and I think people had a really good time and it gave them something to look forward to, something that women can come out and kind of get away from the family for a little way and have a good time amongst themselves and kind of rally around a good cause.”
After Friday success, there’s no question whether or not Avita will continue to host such events.
“We are going to continue doing these on an annual basis, these women’s events, and try to host them in each community,” said Schott.
Funds were raised through live and silent auctions to support the Avita Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. Items ranged from high school athletics to Cleveland Indians tickets and D. Picking & Co. copper wastebasket.
United in Harmony performed and Karen S. Vadino was the night’s motivational speaker.
Money raised from the night’s events will help to modernize the maternity department within the Avita Health System. Currently, Avita has the only labor and delivery unit in Crawford County. The “Small Hands, Big Hearts” campaign is raising funds to help with the renovation. The updated maternity department will include a state-of-the-art infant security system, nine modernized mother/postpartum rooms, three new labor and delivery rooms, a new nursery with an enhanced viewing window, a secure, dedicated entry for expecting mothers, and a new and improved waiting room for families.