Buy your raffle ticket now, and get a chance to win a limited edition 2008 Ford Mustang (Bullitt model). Tickets are $25 each, or five for $100. Jim Click is trying to raise ONE MILLION DOLLARS for Tucson area 501(c)(3) charities. He's giving away a 2008 Bullitt Mustang!

TIHAN is participating in this event and we get to keep 100% of the money raised from our raffle ticket sales in order to help us in our mission of a compassionate response to HIV/AIDS. By purchasing a ticket, you get a chance to win a great car, and help support TIHAN!

Get your tickets by contacting TIHAN at 299-6647 (credit card orders can be taken over the phone), or stop in and see us at 1011 N. Craycroft Rd. #301. We would love to see one of TIHAN's supporters win this great Mustang. The drawing will be held February 18, 2008. Jim Click must have all entries by February 11, 2008, so TIHAN needs all ticket sales turned in to us the week before. You must be 21 years of age or older to win. Winner need not be present. The winner will be responsible for all taxes, registration, and travel to claim the vehicle.

Color and options on the 2008 Mustang "Bullitt" are subject to Jim Click Automotive Team discretion. Thanks to the generosity of the Jim Click Automotive group, all the money from every raffle ticket that TIHAN sells will directly support the programs and services of TIHAN!

* Car pictured is for display purposes only. Actual color and options on the 2008 Mustang "Bullitt" are at the discretion of the Jim Click Automotive Team.

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5. Job Opening: Director of CarePartner Support (full time position)

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6. "Treasures for TIHAN" Auction Save the Date, and Join Our Team of Volunteers Making this A Great Event! Saturday, May 3

"Treasures for TIHAN," the signature fundraising event for the programs and services of TIHAN, is coming up on Saturday, May 3.

If you can help by donating or soliciting items for our auction—trips, antiques, jewelry, rugs, gift certificates, unique gift items, and collectibles of value (over $50 in value, please)—please contact Scott at 299-6647 or scott@tihan.org.

We have lots of volunteer needs—both now and as we approach the date of the event. And we are seeking companies and organizations to help sponsor this year's events—contact us for sponsorship opportunities.

Come on board and help us make this another grand benefit as we commemorate the 11th annual Treasures event!

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7. HIV/AIDS education is successful in a local faith community

TIHAN facilitated a speaking presentation by our wonderful volunteer, Phil, to Southside Presbyterian Church, a TIHAN member faith community. On November 25, 2007, over 100 people heard Phil's message. Pastor Larry Graham-Johnson sent this note to TIHAN,

Phil was wonderful and so many people were thankful for the courage and endurance he exhibited in telling what has to be a most difficult life experience. It was Communion Sunday as well and it all fit together as well as this pastor could hope for…We as a congregation were blessed by Phil's presence and we are challenged to be even more aware and supportive of those so often overlooked in our haste to get to Christmas…Blessings on you and your work always, and in all ways.

TIHAN is happy to provide HIV 101 presentations, panels of speakers living with HIV/AIDS, and other presentations to help our faith communities' members (adults and youth) increase their knowledge and their compassionate response to HIV/AIDS. All are provided free of charge to member and non-member faith communities.

Can you help your faith community facilitate an education opportunity? Talk to your faith community liaison to TIHAN or contact Ari Kelly, Director of Education, ari@tihan.org or 299-6647.

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8. Taking the First Step to Volunteering in 2008

Make a difference in someone's life today and volunteer with the Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network. Your first step to volunteering is attending one of our Volunteer Orientations.

1. Tuesday, March 11
   AFTERNOON ORIENTATION
   1:00-5:00pm at TIHAN
2. Thursday, May 8
   EVENING ORIENTATION
   5:15-9:15pm at First Congregational UCC
3. Tuesday, July 8
   AFTERNOON ORIENTATION
   1:00-5:00pm at TIHAN
4. Thursday, September 11
   EVENING ORIENTATION
   5:15-9:15pm at First Congregational UCC
5. Thursday, November 13
   EVENING ORIENTATION
   5:15-9:15pm at First Congregational UCC

In just one evening or afternoon, you will experience an HIV 101 presentation, be inspired by a panel discussion by persons living with HIV, and hear an overview of TIHAN's programs, services and volunteer opportunities.

If you are interested in volunteering at TIHAN or you just want to know more about HIV/AIDS and related issues, please join us. Your cost is only $17 and includes a light meal and printed materials. Feel free to pass this information on to your friends, family, co-workers and congregations.

For more information about volunteer opportunities contact Kim Talerico, Volunteer Coordinator, at 299-6647 or email her at kim@tihan.org.

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9. Volunteer Spotlight: Tami Arthur

It's a long way from Hillsboro, North Dakota, to Tucson, Arizona, but that's the road Tami Arthur traveled 20 years ago. She was seeking new experiences and a chance to visit another part of the USA. Having a friend in Tucson led her to the Old Pueblo, where this Scandinavian found love in the form of her husband, Andrew, a pediatrician at El Rio Health Clinic. She also acquired two stepsons and had two children, a 13-year old daughter, and a 10-year old son. Born under the sign of Cancer, Tami definitely has the characteristics of the sign: protective, loving and sympathetic. These traits clearly show in Tami's volunteer efforts at TIHAN, to which she was introduced through the friendship of a fellow congregant at her church, Lutheran Church of the Foothills.

Tami began her association with TIHAN in 2003 when she assumed the role that her husband had been playing in coordinating the Musical Potpourri benefit concert held every fall. She introduced new styles of music to the concert: folksingers, boogie woogie, and assorted choirs. In 2004, Tami became an official volunteer in her role as front desk receptionist in the TIHAN office. Currently, she is a CareTeam volunteer, lending support to people living with HIV/AIDS. She also helped lead the recent holiday programs for people living with HIV/AIDS, a collaborative program of TIHAN and SAAF. Tami is also active in Primavera through her church, where you can find her serving or preparing meals every 3rd Thursday. She also organizes The Love of Reading Week at her children's school, and is a paid volunteer at El Rio in their "Reach Out and Read" Program, which coincidentally is the recipient of the books from Love of Reading! What comes around…

In her spare time, Tami enjoys hiking with her family in Sabino Canyon, and reading. She likes mysteries and can't wait to start reading one of her Christmas gifts, A Thousand Splendid Suns. She trusts she will like it as much as one of her favorites, The Kite Runner. We trust that you will like Tami as much as we do!

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10. Have You Made a Difference in Someone's Life Today? Do you have time on your hands?

We need you, and want to put your hands to work! Get passionate about a cause and do something instead of just thinking about it. You are needed now. We can help make it happen. Call us and get started.

We have CarePartners, people living with HIV/AIDS, on a waiting list in need of a CareTeam. Please make a difference in someone's life today and become a TIHAN Volunteer! We have additional needs in the areas of Speakers and Presenters, Receptionists, Data Entry Team Member, Phone Callers, Handyperson, Thank You Letter Writer, Grant Writers, Fundraising Event Volunteers, Human Resource Committee members, Community Event Volunteer, Fundraising, Grant Writing and Administrative Assistants to the Volunteer Coordinator and Director of Education.

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11. Equip Yourself to Stop Stigma

According to AIDSmeds.com, 84% of HIV-positive people describe the stigma surrounding HIV in their hometown as "heavy" or "moderate." You can end stigma by educating your relatives, co-workers, classmates, or friends who don't know enough about HIV/AIDS. There are many educational presentations and activities that you can use. How can you hold back from sharing with others?

Come to our Speakers' Training on Saturday, February 9 from 9am-5pm at TIHAN, 1011 North Craycroft, #301. You will learn to share the facts about the disease and impart your own story. At a recent Speakers' Training, every trainee said they would recommend the training to friends or family. Volunteer Orientation is a prerequisite. The training is $17 and scholarships are available. Please RSVP by calling 299-6647.

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12. Grow Your Knowledge

TIHAN is pleased to continue to offer FREE Continuing Education workshops to volunteers in collaboration with the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation. The next workshop, titled LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) 101, is Thursday, February 7, 6-8 pm at SAAF, 375 S. Euclid. Call 299-6647 to reserve your spot! We ask all volunteers to attend at least 3 workshops each year. For the 2008 Continuing Education workshop schedule, click here

The first Thursday of every month in 2008*, we will be offering continuing education opportunities-they are free and everyone is welcomed to attend! This is a great way to learn more about HIV/AIDS, any new developments, and to ask the questions you have always wanted answered. Please RSVP by calling 299-6647.

All workshops are subject to change. Please call to confirm and sign up: 299-6647.

*except July, when the continuing education session will take place on the 2nd Thursday due to the July 4 holiday

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13. We wish we may, we wish we might...

It is your generosity that keeps TIHAN fully supplied and running smoothly, and we give you thanks for supporting us in this way. This month, we are featuring items that we always appreciate receiving as we constantly use them.

Please contact Leslie Johnson, our Administrative Assistant, at 299-6647 or leslie@tihan.org if you have any questions about the items on our Wish List.

• Colorful, plastic, disposable table cloths for 72" x 32" tables at Poz Cafe tables (need 25-30 per month)
• Personal care items for Poz MarketPlace: Click here to see the Poz Cafe Wish List
• Gift cards to grocery stores (in amounts from $5-$25) to be given to CarePartners living with HIV
• Multi-purpose white paper, 20# bond, 8.5" x 11"; for photocopying and general office use
• Three-hole-punched white photocopier paper, 20# bond, 8.5" x 11"
• Writing tablets, 8.5" x 11", white or yellow
• Avery 5160 address labels for laser printers
• Self-adhesive name badges.
• Easel pads, plain white paper (Post-It Easel Pads would be a dream come true)
• First-class letter and postcard stamps, self-adhesive
• Blank note cards with pretty designs on cover
• Gift certificates to party supply stores
• Disposable hot drink cups for office kitchen and at TIHAN events (8-10 ounce size)
• Containers of liquid hand soap
• Paper towels for office use
• Facial tissue for office use
• Toilet paper for office use

Click here to see our entire Wish List

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14. It's Time to Turn the Tide

What do poverty, illiteracy, incarceration, and AIDS have in common? All disproportionately affect African American people. In Pima County, African Americans account for 3% of our population but nearly 10% of HIV/AIDS cases. Churches are taking the lead to raise awareness and create a new reality.

The Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS is a movement created by the Balm in Gilead to promote HIV/AIDS awareness through our African American faith communities. Tucson will once again join this worthy effort that takes place March 2-8, 2008. Events are being planned now! If you would like to help plan or carry out this event, contact Ari Kelly, ari@tihan.org or 299-6647.

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15. Have A Part in Caring

The family is one of nature's masterpieces. —George Santayana

10% of HIV-positive people surveyed by Poz Magazine say their families treated them worse after disclosing their HIV status. You can be an important part of someone's support network by volunteering as a TIHAN CareTeam member, Link Specialist, or Poz Cafe volunteer. After a recent CarePartner Support training, 100% of the trainees said that they were more excited to volunteer with TIHAN.

The next CarePartner Support Training is Saturday, January 26, 9am-5pm at TIHAN, 1011 North Craycroft, #301. You can be a substantial show of support for our friends living with HIV/AIDS. Bring a willing spirit and you will learn the skills for serving as a CareTeam member, Holiday Program volunteer, Link Specialist or Poz Cafe volunteer. The training is $22 and scholarships are available. Volunteer Orientation is a prerequisite. Call 299-6647 to sign up for a fulfilling experience.

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16. HIV Question of the Month: HIV Testing—See If You Know the Answer…

True or False: Antibody test results for HIV are accurate more than 99.5% of the time? What do you think is the answer?

According to The Body (www.thebody.com), a great resource for HIV/AIDS information and to answer all your questions,

Antibody test results for HIV are accurate more than 99.5% of the time. Before you get the results, the test has usually been done two or more times. The first test is called an "EIA" or "ELISA" test. Before a positive ELISA test result is reported, it is confirmed by another test called a "Western Blot."

Two special cases can give false results:

Children born to HIV-positive mothers may have false positive test results for several months because mothers pass infection-fighting antibodies to their newborn children. Even if the children are not infected, they have HIV antibodies and will test positive. Other tests, such as a viral load test, must be used.

As mentioned above, people who were recently infected may test negative if they get tested too soon after being infected with HIV.

For detailed information about HIV testing issues, click here. The Body also features an "Ask the Experts" section that discusses HIV prevention, treatment, medications, care, support, and more.

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17. Quote of the Month

"Our self image and our habits tend to go together. Change one and you will automatically change the other."

—Dr. Maxwell Maltz

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Jennifer with BONKERS

18. We're BONKERS for Jennifer Ramin!

For the past four years, Jennifer Ramin, ANP, has served TIHAN as one of our fabulous volunteers. Jennifer is in a leadership position on our Board of Directors, serving as the Board Secretary for the past two years. Not only does Jennifer bring her personal skills to TIHAN, but she provides the Board with her years of professional experiences as a palliative care nurse practitioner.

In her work at TLC Pain & Palliative Medicine Practice, she offers her professional expertise along with her warm and caring style to those in times of need. Before she was a nurse practitioner, she was a hospice nurse in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

In her volunteer work at TIHAN, Jennifer brings her skills and her passion to ensure TIHAN's mission of providing care and support to those living with HIV/AIDS. In February, Jennifer Ramin will complete her four years on the TIHAN Board of Directors (and although we are sad to lose her from the Board, we are looking forward to her new volunteer involvement!)

Jennifer, we are very grateful for your presence and contributions—we are BONKERS about you!

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