After a pandemic pause, Divas for Diabetes Halloween bash is back and in person.
The event invites residents to a night filled with dancing, games, raffles, door prizes and a silent auction. The women-only event has been going on for nine years and has raised around $30,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
"On average, we raise anywhere from $3,000 to $5,500 a year," said Cynthia Cole, the organizer of Divas for Diabetes.
After a couple of years of the pandemic, the bash is returning to Louie's on Lewis on Oct. 15 with doors opening at 7 p.m. Cole said everyone is excited and stepped up to help with the event, describing it as the 'ultimate night out.'
"We have a blast, it is a crazy girls night out and we're prepared to spend," said Cole, anticipating this year's event will break a fundraising record.
After planning a Halloween night out years ago for other women in her life to let loose, Cole said it occurred to her that she and other women could do something spectacular to make a difference. In 2011, Cole's daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and she decided to use the event to raise money for research.
"It's a lifelong disease at this point and I don't think it has to be that way," Cole said about type 1 diabetes, adding it is not a nice disease.
Over the years, Cole said many people with diabetes have come out to support and have fun. Cole, who sometimes records videos during the event, said she looks back at the footage to see lots of women with smiles on their faces.
"You can't fully grasp the event unless you come," said Cole.
To get into the party, a costume is required. Cole said they hand out four prizes for different types of costumes: cutest, funniest, scariest and most original.
Cole, who loves all the costumes, adds the women who attend the bash often try to outdo each other year after year. Despite the competition, Cole said there is no drama.
"It's never really the same person (who wins) and the costumes are incredible," said Cole. "One girl came with her whole head (as) an aquarium. She won the most original one year."
A couple years after the first bash, Cole put out a survey, asking participants if they wanted the event to allow for a date. At the time, Cole had concerns people wouldn't come to the event if they couldn't bring a date.
"Resoundingly, not one person wanted it to be couples," said Cole. "They could come out, they could be somebody else for a night, they could dance for a night."
There are still some tickets left for people to purchase for Divas for Diabetes bash. Each ticket costs $25. Residents can purchase a ticket by sending Cynthia a message through the event's Facebook page.
