MARIETTA - Hundreds of people will gather Tuesday night at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre for an evening of fellowship and fundraising to support efforts to build a Freedom Center in Iraq.

The Freedom Center is the vision of Global Hope, an organization founded by Heather Mercer.

Mercer, who grew up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., was among eight Westerners arrested in Kabul, Afghanistan, in August 2001 by the Taliban for preaching Christianity. The punishment could have been death.

The Westerners and 16 Afghans arrested with them were held for more than 100 days, and were freed in November 2001 when Northern Alliance forces entered Kabul, according to news reports. Mercer and the other American who was held, Dayna Curry, wrote a book about their imprisonment. "Prisoners of Hope: The Story of Our Captivity and Freedom in Afghanistan," was published by Doubleday in late 2003.

Being imprisoned "was the most horrifying and the most wonderful experience of my life," Mercer said. "So much good has come from it, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I'm not looking to go back, but ... It changed me, and ultimately brought about a lot of change to the nation. On Tuesday, I'll be speaking about my experience and how God brought good out of a lot of bad."

In the years since being freed, Mercer has frequently returned to the Middle East and now spends much of her time in Iraq. Earlier this year, she was instrumental in bringing Mohammad Mustafa, age 7, to Marietta for leg-lengthening surgery. Mohammad had already undergone 12 surgeries on his leg, which has been stunted since a bone infection when he was about 3 years old. Organizers hope Mohammad will make an appearance at the fundraiser.

The Freedom Center is under construction in northern Iraq. The 25,000-square-foot building will be home to five businesses including a coffee shop, an Internet cafe, a copy center, an English school and a sports and recreation facility, Mercer said. There will also be a library, park and playground, and space for women's health programs. Mercer said the center is expected to open in the spring with 45 to 60 employees.

Organizers of the fundraiser have spent the last few weeks dialing for dollars, and have raised $72,000 toward their goal of bringing in $100,000 in sponsorships before Tuesday's event.

The free, hour-long program will begin at 7 p.m. and will feature speeches by Mercer, Dr. G.B. Espy, a Marietta gynecologist, and Earl Smith, as well as patriotic and gospel music performances. Pledge cards will be available, and organizers hope those will raise an additional $400,000.

The program "came together through the energy and vision of a group of businesspeople in Marietta," Mercer said. "Dr. Espy was really influential in that. He brought about the initial connections with Roger DeBoy and Johnny Gresham. We are so grateful for all of their efforts."

Among those organizing the fundraiser are Kim Gresh, Dr. Betty Siegel, Michelle Swan, Earl Reece, Pam DeBoy, Mark England, and Tony and Pam Williams.

England said they have 413 confirmed ticketholders, but hope to fill the theatre, which seats 533. Free tickets are available at the Strand's box office.