LOCAL NEWS - N Touch Magazine

FOCUS TUCSON
Celebrate Cinco de May with a "Treasure"
12th Annual Treasures for TIHAN
TUCSON - Currently, it is estimated
that there are 2,500 persons
in Pima County who are living with
HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Since 1994 the Tucson Interfaith
HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN)
has offered unconditional love and
non-medical support to those living
with HIV/AIDS, as well as to their
loved ones.
The “Treasures for TIHAN”
(Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS
Network) benefit auction, the nonprofit’s
signature event, is scheduled
for May 5 at the Doubletree Hotel
Reid Park. The event promises to be
a fun-filled evening with entertainment,
festive food, cocktails and a
live and silent auction.
According to co-chairs Lisa Fogle
and Beth Daum, the “Treasures for
TIHAN” event promises to be a
sparkling evening of festive entertainment,
fantastic food, a no-host
cantina, and wonderful auction
items to raise funds to support the
non-profit’s programs and services.
The event will be emceed by
Chuck George First Alert Chief Meteorologist
for KOLD News 13, and
Marcela Gomez de Ell actress, journalist,
producer, and former news
anchor for Telemundo.
Mariachi Azteca Del Sol, one the
nation’s premier mariachi groups,
will be performing at the event. The
group, based in Tucson, Arizona,
has performed with many renowned
artists, including Pedro Fernandez,
Vicky Carr, Celia Cruz, Aida Cuevas,
Charlie Zaa, Beatriz Adriana,
Emilio, Lucero, Rosenda Bernal,
Maria de Lourdes, and Linda Ronstadt.
Mariachi Azteca Del Sol is very
proud of its tradition in keeping the
art of mariachi music alive, performing
and filling people’s hearts with
By Gina Read
the festive sounds of mariachi music.
The Director and Musical Arranger
for the group is Rueben M.
Loya, who is responsible for the versatile
and authentic sound of Mariachi
Azteca Del Sol. Rueben studied
music at the University of Arizona
and at Dick Groves School of Music
in Hollywood, California.
Mariachi Azteca Del Sol is made
up of 10 musicians: Rueben M. Loya
(vihuela), Orlando Quiroga (trumpet),
Monica Trevino (violin), Carlos
Torrejon (guitarron), Jose Orosco
(guitar), Rebecca Leon (violin), Joaquin
Tellez, (violin), Rigo Pedrosa
(trumpet) Esteban Gonzales (violin)
and Charlie Martinez (trumpet).
TIHAN is the largest privatelyfunded
provider of support services
for people living with HIV/AIDS
in the state of Arizona, but receives
no public monies.
TIHAN Care Teams provide a
wide range of needed services depending
upon the health status of
the person living with HIV/AIDS.
Over the years, their Care Team volunteers
have provided over 15,000
hours of extensive Care Team support
services including transportation,
meals, opportunities to socialize,
emotional support. This support
ranges from end-of-life care to assisting
people to regain their independence.
The TIHAN Poz Café lunch
program is the largest regular gathering
place for people
living with HIV/AIDS in Southern
Arizona. Poz Café has served
over 9,900 meals to more than 500
people living with HIV/AIDS.
“Poz Café is alive. It literally
brought me back to life. It got me
out of seclusion and I was able to feel
like a worthwhile person again, just
from seeing and feeling the love and
compassion at Poz Café that first
time. No one was afraid of me. All
those smiles and hugs. Do they really
want to hug me? They did. I felt
emotions that I hadn’t felt for a long
time because of the shame, sadness,
and rejection I was carrying within
me. Spiritu- ally, my heart felt very
welcomed. I was able to experience
inner peace. I had attempted suicide
before, and was considering it again.
I didn’t see a future for myself, until
Poz Café,” stated Georgeannie, a
woman living with HIV/AIDS.
All TIHAN services are offered
free of prejudice and proselytism.
“Please come out and support
the event, have a great time, and be
the winning bidder on some great
items!” exclaimed Blades.
This benefit has continued to be a
huge success in large part because of
the many businesses and groups who
invest in TIHAN through sponsorships
and donations of auction items.
There is still time if you want to
donate items for the auction, or to
join other compassionate businesses
and groups to become an event sponsor.
Tickets for the event are $65 in
advance, $75 at the door. Tickets can
be purchased by phone or online at
the number and website below.
More information regarding TI-
HAN you may call Blades at 520-
299-6647, email him at scott@tihan.
org or visit the tihan.org.
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48 | Issue #93 | April 2012 | ntouchaz.com news / politics / business / opinion