Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN) is inviting southern Arizona artists and galleries to donate works of art to be displayed and auctioned at the Treasures for TIHAN Benefit event to support AIDS awareness and compassionate support programs for people living with HIV/AIDS.

TIHAN is the largest privately-funded provider of support services for people living with HIV/AIDS in Arizona, and their ability to provide great education and services is credited to the generous artists, galleries, and businesses that last year helped their auction raise over $89,000—which is one-third of their entire year’s budget.

This year TIHAN says the need is even greater.  “They are calling all compassionate artists and galleries to join them and make their auction a success by contributing art to be auctioned off at their Treasures for TIHAN Benefit, where hundreds of Tucsonans will be looking to purchase items in support of TIHAN’s programs and services.”

The organization is seeking paintings, sculptures, glass, ceramics, jewelry, leather, textiles, and other creations to be donated for the auction.  Art can be delivered to the TIHAN office, 1011 North Craycroft Road, #301, during business hours, or arrangements can be made for TIHAN to pick up donated items.

The deadline is April 30 for donors to be included in the printed program.   Treasures for TIHAN is the annual live and silent auction benefiting the Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN).  The 13th annual event will be held Saturday, May 22, 2010 at the Doubletree Hotel at Reid Park.  All proceeds from the auction support the local work of TIHAN.

Information about donations and tickets to the event are available at www.tihan.org

In 2009, TIHAN’s volunteer-based support programs served 291 people living with HIV/AIDS.  TIHAN’s education and awareness programs reached more than 4,000 people through presentations, sermons, spoken announcements, and information tables at community events and another 36,000 through faith community bulletins and newsletters in 2009.

TIHAN’s Poz Café lunch program is the largest regular gathering place for people living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Arizona.  Since 1999, Poz Cafe has served over 12,000 meals to more than 600 people living with HIV/AIDS.  According to the AZ Dept. of Health Services, the number of people diagnosed with AIDS will outnumber the number of people living with HIV in Arizona by 2012, and more are requiring treatment and increasing the urgency of our mission.

TIHAN does not receive government funding, and counts on YOUR help to sustain their programs, which provide blessings to those in need.

For more information, visit www.tihan.org or contact Scott Blades, Executive Director, (520) 299- 6647 or scott@tihan.org.

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