Girls Night Out Raises Funds for Local Breast Healthcare

On Thursday, September 27, 2012, Proffitt PR held its 4th Girls’ Night Out (GNO) event aboard the Solaris yacht in the Baytowne Marina. Over 150 women came out to share the evening with friends and raise funds to benefit local breast cancer healthcare. 

Beginning as strictly a holiday party for local women of the area, GNO soon cultivated into a large get together held at venues including Harbor Docks and Marlin Grill, with the event working differently each time. GNO quickly garnered a loyal following of 300+ ladies. With such a significant growth of the event, Proffitt PR began to incorporate a beneficiary to raise money for charity.

For GNO aboard the Solaris, Proffitt PR partnered with Sandestin Tennis’ 2nd Annual Serve2Cure event to raise funds for a restricted breast cancer fund for underserved women at the Oncology unit at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. 

The evening featured giveaways, vendors, raffle prizes, a silent auction, live music by Daphne Willis, and a sell-out crowd of leading ladies of the Emerald Coast in attendance. 

Heavy hors d’oeuvres were served while guests enjoyed a chocolate fountain donated by Kilwin’s, and wine and spirits, including a specialty drink with $1 of each sold going towards the cause.

An significant part of GNO was sponsorship from local businesses through silent auction, raffle, and giveaway donations. Vendors such as Destin Jewelers, SoWal Pilates, Today’s Boutique, Southern Work Apparel, and Pure Barre 30A were located throughout the main deck to allow guests to sign up for workout classes, purchase clothing and accessories, and to learn more about a few local businesses within the area.

There were many opportunities for women to win prizes as well as donate to the cause. Destin Jewelers sold a chance to win an Armenta Midnight Collection Blue Topaz and Labradorite ring valued at $1490. Guests were asked to make a donation of $20 in exchange for a flute of pink champagne to toast at the end of the night, with one flute containing the winning pink crystal to take home the Armenta ring.

Excitement was kept throughout the night as five free mammograms donated by Dr. Beth Cazanave of Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, and five gifts donated by Destin Jewelers, were given away at random.

On the second deck, guests were entertained with FaceTime Photobooth and a table full of props to create fun memories with instant photo strips.

Upon closing the silent auction, all in attendance were invited to the top deck of The Solaris. Jessica Proffitt thanked the crowd for the wonderful evening and introduced Julie Liebetreu of Serve2Cure to speak on the collaboration of GNO and Serve2Cure and Dr. Cazanave to address the GNO attendees on the importance of mammograms and the awareness of breast cancer.

After announcing the winners of the raffle prizes and to close out the night, women who donated $20 to the cause raised their pink champagne glass to find the winner of the Armenta ring. Attending GNO as a birthday gift from her friends, Angela Hayes found the winning pink crystal in her flute to win the $1,490 ring.

After a fun-filled evening of networking and fundraising, the night came to an end as the Solaris yacht docked back at the Baytowne Marina.

Given the resounding success of GNO aboard the Solaris, it’s hoped that the upcoming GNO events will provide an even greater chance to raise funds for local charities of the Emerald Coast. November 29th marks the next Girls’ Night Out, a holiday soiree to be held at Marlin Grill. Details to follow.

For more information on Girls’ Night Out and/or sponsorship opportunities, contact Proffitt PR at 850-654-4040 or jessica@proffittpr.com. Proffitt PR is located at 1234 Airport Road, Suite 214 Destin, Fl 32541.

Jessica Proffitt of Profitt PR and the women of Girls Night Out raise $4,682.38 in support of underserved women at the Oncology unit at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast.