|
Monthly E-Newsletter
for
October
2011
Dear Friends,
Thanks
for taking a few minutes out of your busy day to learn more
about TIHAN and making a difference in the lives of those
living with HIV/AIDS! Your care and support mean the world to
TIHAN and those we serve.
Scott Blades
Executive Director
Just
a Little Breeze
Just
a little breeze can make a difference. During a conversation
with Tina S. (one of TIHAN's CarePartners living with HIV) on
one of the hottest days of this past summer, she mentioned
that she sure could use a fan. The air conditioning unit on
her rental is not nearly large enough to keep the house cool,
and the last bill had been $250 because the unit runs
continuously. I mentioned to one of our volunteers that this
was the third call that day from a CarePartner needing a fan.
The volunteer said she'd keep her eyes open as she went
"yard sailing" over the weekend.
On
Monday, four fans appeared in the office—brand new fans!
Several days after she picked up her fan, Tina called us to
say how grateful she was and what a difference it was making
in her home. She wanted us to convey her thanks to the donor
who made such a difference. Sometimes a little thoughtfulness,
a little generosity can do wonders. We can each bring a
"refreshing breeze" into someone's life if we look
and listen with our hearts as Rhonda Martin did.
Back
to top
Get
an early start on Spreading Holiday Cheer - Collect Toiletry
Items for Care Packages
Each
month, individuals, businesses, and congregations collect and
donate toiletry items for TIHAN's care packages to be
distributed to those living with HIV who are on limited income
and trying to stretch their budget.
Recently,
it's been more difficult to get as many items as we need to
distribute all the care package requests we receive each
month. Going into this holiday season, we are anticipating
more requests for care packages, with toilet tissue, paper
towels, Kleenex, antibacterial hand sanitizers, dishwashing
soap, and shampoo being among the most requested items.
If
you, your business, or your congregation can hold a drive to
collect these much-needed resources, please bring them to the
TIHAN office—ideally during the week before the Poz Cafe.
There are still three more opportunities in 2011 to contribute
toiletry items and help make a difference: October 20,
November 17, and December 15. If you have any questions or
to arrange a delivery date please contact Taina Compagnet,
Director of CarePartner Support at (520) 299-6647, or email at
taina@tihan.org.
Back
to top
Musical
Potpourri Concert—Sunday, November 13
The
Musical Potpourri Concert, a spectacular afternoon of music to
benefit TIHAN's programs, will take place on Sunday, November
13 at 3:00pm. This year's concert, sponsored by Lutheran
Church of the Foothills and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans,
will feature American Idol's Crystal Stark (visit her website www.crystalstarkmusic.com),
renowned musicians Jazz All-Stars, and the ever-popular
Reveille Men's Chorus (www.reveillemenschorus.org).
 Tickets
for this 90-minute concert are
only $12 (including a reception
following the concert where you
can meet the performers).
Children age 10 and under receive free admission. All proceeds
benefit the programs and services of TIHAN. Tickets are on
sale now at the TIHAN office (credit card orders can be taken
over the phone-299-6647). The concert takes place at Lutheran
Church of the Foothills, 5102 North Craycroft Road (southeast
corner of Territory and Craycroft). For more information,
contact Beth Daum at daum5735@yahoo.com.
Back
to top
If
HIV Testing Technology Has Changed, Why Haven't HIV Testing
Guidelines?
The
infamous "window period," and how it may vary
between different types of HIV tests, is the source of a huge
amount of anxiety among people who are exposed to HIV. Just
how long after an exposure does it take for HIV test results
to be reliable? How does that window period grow or shrink
depending on which HIV test you receive? Why aren't advances
in HIV testing technology reflected in official guidelines? In
this recent blog post, Bob Frascino, M.D., clears the air.
To
read the entire article and test your knowledge of HIV testing
guidelines, click here.
Back
to top
Poz
Cafe's 15,000th Meal Celebration Featured on News
Our
September Poz Cafe was a celebration even bigger than usual as
we served our 15,000th meal since our program started. We'd
like to recognize volunteers from St. Mark's United Methodist
Church and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of
Northwest Tucson—Mountain Vista (pictured here, along with
TIHAN's Poz Cafe volunteers) for helping to make this an
extra-special celebration of the milestone.
We
are grateful for all of the congregations that have created
wonderful meals, provided toiletry items and volunteers, and
offered their hospitality to those living with HIV throughout
the years. And of course we are grateful to St. Francis in the
Foothills United Methodist Church for hosting our lunch
programs. Fox 11 News Tucson covered our 15,000th meal, and if
you'd like to watch the video, click here.
Back
to top
Position
Opening: Director of Congregational and Community Programs
TIHAN
is recruiting a full-time staff member responsible for
congregational relations, HIV education, volunteer recruitment/coordination,
and program administration. Salary depends on experience, and
includes a benefit package.
For
the job description with required qualifications and
instructions for applying, click
here.
Back
to top
Win
2012 Nissan LEAF SL 100% Electric Car - Raffle Tickets $25,
with TIHAN getting the Proceeds!
 To
celebrate 40 years in Tucson, Jim Click Automotive Team is
presenting a new 2012 Nissan LEAF SL to be used as the
featured prize in a raffle to raise hundreds of thousands of
dollars for non-profit Tucson organizations. TIHAN is
participating in this event and receives 100% of the proceeds
raised from any raffle tickets that we sell. Our proceeds will
support our mission of a compassionate response to HIV/AIDS.
By purchasing a ticket from us, you get a chance to win a
great car, and help support TIHAN's programs!
Tickets
are $25 each, or 5 tickets for $100. All entries must be
received by April 20, 2012, and the drawing will be held April
27, 2012. Call 299-6647 or stop by the office to buy your
tickets today, or click
here to purchase tickets online.
Back
to top
A
"Thank You" from Anita Timpani
Over
the last 14 months I have grown to know many of you through
your volunteer work, your congregational support, your
telephone calls, and emails and I have come to realize the
importance of working together for our one common mission—to
serve others and make one another's life a little easier—if
even for the moment. When I attended the Volunteer
Orientations, I was always reminded of how diverse our
volunteers were and how we all came from different walks, but
were able to come together to work, grow, and learn from one
another. When I attended the
Liaison Meetings, I was always amazed at the work that is
being done from a distance in the congregations and how the
giving still continues and support is given. When I met with
our newly trained Educational Volunteers at our Speakers
Training, I was reminded of the importance of our words and
how powerful they could be.
There
are many lessons I've learned and I will forever remember all
of you who have worked together during my time with TIHAN. It
has been an honor and a pleasure to assist you all in the
important work of TIHAN.
—Anita
Timpani, former Director of Congregational and Community
Programs
Back
to top
Olive
R. Hours Says: "Volunteer Impact Reports Help TIHAN
Record the Efforts of Our Volunteers!"
Please
remember to turn in your volunteer impact reports at the end
of each month. The form is available on our website at http://www.tihan.org/volunteer.htm#volimpact.
Feel free to bring them to the office, fax or email to volunteer@tihan.org.
Back
to top
Join
TIHAN on Facebook
Did
you know that TIHAN is on Facebook? What an easy way to keep
up with the latest news and upcoming events. The group is
private, and our membership list is only visible to other
group members to protect the confidentiality of everyone
involved. Click
here to join us on Facebook and find out what this whole
social networking thing is all about.
Back
to top
Join
the Green Side of TIHAN
The
fall edition of our TIHAN Quarterly Newsletter will be going
out next month. If you are interested in receiving the
quarterly newsletter by email instead of postal mail, let us
know! Simply contact Katie Meismer Administrative Assistant at
adminassistant@tihan.org
and let her know that you would like to be removed from our
print mailing list and added to our electronic list. Be sure
to provide us with the e-mail address where you want to
receive your newsletter! It's easy being green at TIHAN!
|
