BHS Foundation staff model purses for Handbags for Hope, part of the Ladies Night In event to raise money for cancer support services. Showing off some of the prizes are Kris Bowser, back left, Lauren McElhaney, center, and volunteer Audray Muscatello Yost. Winners will be drawn Oct. 25.

Handbags for Hope is filling in for Ladies Night Out, which organizers said will be more like a Ladies Night In.

“With COVID-19 gathering, we had to be creative,” said Kris Bowser, development and event manager for the BHS Foundation. “We turned this into a virtual event.”

Bowser said Ladies Night Out could not take place this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In its prior form, Ladies Night Out featured dinner, entertainment, vendors and prizes at the Butler Country Club.

Now in its seventh year, Handbags for Hope, which was its own event in past years, will be the focal point for Ladies Night In.

The handbag event has always been the raffling of purses has raised between $13,000 and $14,000 over the past few years.

“We hope to reach the same amount this year or exceed this total,” Bowser said.

The event's proceeds are directed toward BHS Cancer Support Services, which performs a range of functions, like supplying patients with wigs and halos or providing financial assistance with medications and copays.

“They also offer the social work support services patients need while they navigate through their journey,” Bowser said.

With the bags more in focus than ever, organizers bought bags from several name-brand designers, including Kate Spade, Michael Kors and Tory Burch, among others well respected brands.

Participants will need to buy a $20 event ticket, which gives them one entry into the bag raffle and a link to watch a livestream of the drawings. Those wishing to bolster their chances can buy additional entries at $20 each. Tickets can be bought by visiting BHS-Foundation.org

The drawings for all the prizes, which includes other side raffles and 50-50 drawings, will be at noon Oct. 25.

Bowser said livestreaming the drawings was an important feature this year to help participants feel connected to the experience.

“I think it still makes people feel they're part of the event,” she said. “They can participate and watch. Just seeing who the winners are.”

The event organizers are planning to conduct same-day curbside pickup of prizes at the winner's request.

Bowser said this has been a long, tough year for everyone, and this type of event is something that many people will enjoy, and it benefits a great cause.

“I think it's going to make people happy,” Bowser said. “It's fun, light-hearted. I think ladies will enjoy watching it and supporting the hospital, and the bonus would be if they win a handbag.”