By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com

Halloween trick-or-treating may be just around the corner for the kids but before that happens, the women of Crawford County were going to have a little fun of their own.

Witches, Cruella Deville, and the Scooby gang were just some of the costumes women donned for the third annual Divas ‘n Darlings event. It was A Ghoul’s Night Out benefit for women’s health put on by Avita Health System.

Laura Shuler has been on the planning committee for Divas ‘n Darlings since its inception three years ago and she helped man the bar Thursday night. Shuler came dressed as a witch, including a green face, prosthetic chin and warts. Though she had a hand in creating the event, she made sure to give her contribution during it too.

Divas ‘n Darlings featured silent and live auctions. The live auction included items such as a vacation to Caswell Beach, North Carolina, a catered dinner party, a chauffeured limousine, a Galion Country Club family golf membership, Ohio State University football tickets, a stay at the Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark Resort, and a getaway basket.

It was the limousine that Shuler had her eye on. The bidding became spirited in a back-and-forth effort between Shuler and another bidder. Shuler came out on top and, though she was excited about the win, she knew the amount she put down that night was for a good cause.

“It’s a great contribution to Avita Health Care. They service so many people and this is especially for women’s health and I’m a true believer in that,” said Shuler. “Since its inception we had to do this, not only for the women to come and enjoy the event but it’s a fundraiser and it keeps the women’s health revolution going. We have to take care of each other.”

Tammy Schott, who is a part of and introduced the planning committee during Thursday night’s event, explained the Divas ‘n Darlings event like this: “It’s not just about the money; it’s about having a good night out.”

Donations from this year’s benefit will help provide an infant security system in Avita’s Obstetric Department at Galion Community Hospital. Last year’s benefit raised over $20,000 and helped purchase a special Dexa Scan System for the hospital’s osteoporosis clinic.