Proffitt PR recently held its 7th Girls’ Night Out (GNO) event at Elephant Walk in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

Beginning as a friendly holiday party for local women of the area just over one year ago, GNO has cultivated into a signature charity event held at venues including Pandora’s of Grayton Beach, Harbor Docks, Marlin Grill, Tuscany Italian Bistro, and The Solaris. GNO quickly garnered a loyal following of over 400 ladies. With such a significant growth of the event, Proffitt PR began to incorporate a different beneficiary for each event in order to give back to the community.

For Girls’ Night Out: Arabian Nights, Proffitt PR partnered with local charity, Shelter House Domestic and Sexual Violence Center. Shelter House is the state-certified domestic violence shelter, serving victims of domestic violence in Okaloosa and Walton counties. Services include a 24-hour hotline, crisis counseling, advocacy, outreach, primary prevention, transitional housing and confidential shelter.

 “Shelter House was extremely excited to partner with Proffitt PR because it is an all women event,” said Shelter House’s Executive Director, Michelle Sperzel. “At least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime. The funds raised will go toward starting the new Shelter House Rape Crisis program a much needed service for Okaloosa and Walton Counties.”

For a $40 donation, ladies were immediately greeted with customized wine glass sponsored by Design360, Regatta Chiropractic and Laser Center, and RSVP Events. Attendees were also given a pashmina scarf as thank you gifts for attending sponsored by Destin Jewelers and Conerly, Bowman & Dykes. Red carpet photos were taken with 30A Street Style along with Pure7 Films and guests were offered Ketel One Vodka specialty cocktails. Two bands, Continuum and Jacob Mohr Band along with DJ EXQ reigned throughout the pool deck and the entire 8,000 square feet of Elephant Walk.

Ladies enjoyed perusing a display of 95 silent auction items from local businesses including a week stay at WaterColor by 360 Blue Properties, a stay from Dale E. Peterson Vacations, a Bote Board, ads in area magazines, golf, jewelry, art, spa packages and more. Other activities included Facetime Photobooth, two intuitive angel card readers from the Healing Clinic of Fort Walton Beach, Persian face painting by Abrakadoodle, vendor displays, a fire breather and the evening ended with an incredible fireworks show by PyroShows over the beach.

“The outpouring of support and generosity from the local businesses and attendees has truly made Girls’ Night Out blossom into a movement,” said Jessica Proffitt.

For more information on Girls’ Night Out and/or sponsorship opportunities, contact Proffitt PR at [email protected] or 850-502-1652.