The Change the World Fundraiser that took place on Thursday, August 10 at Salon Twist in Uptown Grayton raised over $17,000. The fundraiser was held to raise money and awareness for the Niceville-based Heart of the Bride ministries (HOB), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping provide for the needs of orphans in five third world countries.

Salon Twist hosted the fundraiser to raise money to purchase insecticide-treated mosquito nets for children and pregnant African women so they are protected from mosquitoes that may carry malaria.

“We were overwhelmed by the wonderful support we received from the local community,” said Gina Shiflett, co-owner of Salon Twist. “Everyone pulled together to make this a successful event and we couldn’t be more pleased.”

Entertainment was provided by the gospel talent, The Chambers, and Carpe Cuisine and Coyote Ugly of Panama City contributed the food and wine.

“When we first learned of Heart of the Bride Ministries and their endeavors to help orphanages in third world countries, we were determined to help out in some way,” added Shiflett. “By creating our first Change the World Fundraiser, ourgoal was to encourage people to help us with this incredible organization by making a small donation to help save a child’s life.”

According to the United Nations Foundation web site, every 30 seconds an African child dies from a malarial infection transmitted by a mosquito bite. Every day 25 million pregnant African women risk severe illness and harm to their unborn children from a malarial infection. Malaria can be prevented through a simple, inexpensive measure: sleeping each night under a net treated with insecticides that kill mosquitoes or stop them from biting. An insecticide-treated net that remains effective at least four years costs just $5 to $7, but most Africans cannot afford them. A small donation of $5 will be used to buy insecticide-treated mosquito nets to help prevent the spread of malaria and ultimately help save a child’s life.

To make a donation to Heart of the Bride Ministries, please call Salon Twist at 850.231.7853.

About Heart of the Bride Ministries
Heart of the Bride was established in 1998 as a non-profit organization dedicated to helping provide for the needs of orphans around the world. Their primary mission is to “Share From Our Abundance With Those In Greatest Need.” Through steadfast prayer and partnering with with pastors and Christian leaders in underprivileged countries, HOB has established ongoing relationships with local partners in five nations -- Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kenya, Ukraine, and Zambia -- with plans to expand into additional nations in 2006. Based in Florida's panhandle, 2005 was a tremendous year of growth for Heart of the Bride. Tony Gibson became full-time director of the ministry; Karen van de Voorde became Director of Field Operations; Carol Boykin, an experienced children's ministry specialist, became a full-time staff volunteer; Sharon Mooney, serving in Guinea-Bissau, became HOB's first long-term missionary;

and additional missionaries are soon to join the HOB family. In 2005, Heart of the Bride extended ministry into Kenya and Zambia while the skilled staff at home has continued to grow comprised mostly of committed volunteers. To learn more about Heart of the Bride ministries, please call 850.678.9008 or email info@heartofthebride.org.