E-Newsletter December 2020

by | Dec 6, 2020 | Newsletters

Dear Friends, 
For all the holidays that we celebrate (and we celebrate them all!), we send our best wishes to you as we come to the end of a challenging year. We’re grateful for your contributions that have allowed us to help more people, in more ways, than ever before—in the middle of a pandemic!
December 1, World AIDS Day, marked the 26th anniversary of TIHAN, and here’s a link to my personal message in case you missed it.
I’d also like to share with you a bit about Larry and Caroline, make sure you know about matching funds and tax credits available to you, invite you to a virtual TIHAN gathering and a free concert from our partners at Reveille, and a few more announcements.

Sending you love and wishes for a safe holiday season,


Scott Blades
Executive Director

Please Note: If you live in Arizona and file state income taxes, your contributions to TIHAN can make you eligible for a dollar-for-dollar TAX CREDIT for your 2020 taxes!

 

Quick Links to This Month’s Articles

Your Gift to TIHAN Makes You Eligible for a Tax Credit from the State of Arizona

 

TIHAN has been designated as a Qualifying Charitable Organization for the State of Arizona. So by donating to TIHAN, you may reduce your state income tax liability with a dollar-for-dollar reduction (up to $400 per person, or $800 per married couple filing jointly).

This tax credit is IN ADDITION TO the tax credit you can receive for Qualifying Foster Care Charitable Organizations, and IN ADDITION TO Private School Tuition Organizations and Certified School Tuition Organizations. And you can combine your gifts to various qualified nonprofits and schools.

Contributions to TIHAN can be made online: click here or go to www.tihan.org and click on the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit icon), or mail your check to TIHAN, 1200 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85719.

 

Wait! That Sounds Too Good to Be True! You Can Re-Direct State Tax Dollars to a Cause of Your Choice?

 

Yes!  You can make a donation to TIHAN and the State of Arizona Tax Credit allows you to reduce the amount of tax owed to the state or increase the amount of your refund, dollar-for-dollar.

There is NO NET COST to you, and the people with HIV served by TIHAN will benefit through services you make possible. So if you give TIHAN $400, you can get $400 back from the state when you file your Arizona tax return, so it costs you nothing!

Of course, we’d love for you to contribute as well, so please consider giving over and above what you want to give, then claim the Arizona Tax Credit to get up to $400 (or $800 for a married couple) back when you file your taxes.  You must have a tax liability for at least the amount of your donation in order to take a tax credit.

For more information about the tax credit, click here.

 

Connect with Us on a Holiday Open House via Zoom!

 

Please join us on Friday, December 18th between 3:30pm – 4:30pm for our “Holiday Open House”—a virtual event this year.  We’re looking forward to seeing volunteers, donors, CarePartners, and friends to drop in, meet each other and see TIHAN staff and Board members, and reconnect.

We’ll miss the traditional cookie exchange portion of the event, but what’s most important is seeing you and wishing you a happy holiday.

Here’s the info for the gathering via Zoom:

Zoom link:
Meeting ID: 867 1372 0489
Passcode: 2020

To participate by phone:
(669) 900 6833
Meeting ID: 867 1372 0489
Passcode: 2020

 

TIHAN Donors Pledge to Match Your Gifts!

 

Some of our greatest supporters have stepped up, and are pledging to match your contributions to TIHAN before December 31.

We are so grateful that the Ralph L. Smith Foundation ($10,000) and Melinda Diebolt of Long Realty Mortgage ($2,500) are providing matching funds to encourage YOU to contribute as well.

Your donations to TIHAN (online, by mail, or by phone) before December 31 will be matched!  Thank you!

 

Larry, Living with HIV, Shares that Small Acts of Kindness Can Make a Big Difference

 

Larry is a friendly man who loves his pets.  All of them.  He’s like a personal rescue operation, taking in several dogs and dozens of cats, including pets who are injured, blind, or with missing limbs.  “I love these animals.  They really keep me going,” he says.  Larry’s pets are an important part of his support system, and a coping mechanism along his journey with HIV, which has led him to and through some challenges.

If you ask Larry how he’s doing, be prepared.  “I don’t like being asked that question – unless you have time to really listen to my answer.”  So we listened, and Larry shared a bit about his journey.

Larry found out in 2008 that he is living with HIV.  He was feeling very sick, and thought it was diabetes.

When his doctor tested him for HIV, the results came back positive.  It turned out that not only did Larry have HIV, he had advanced HIV, and his T cells were under 200, which is a marker for an AIDS diagnosis.

Once he connected with a doctor specializing in HIV care, Larry got on anti-retroviral medications and within months his HIV levels were suppressed to the sought-after “undetectable” level.  But he’s had to switch medications multiple times since then, because the virus mutates and the medications stop working, making his HIV levels inch up again.  And then his doctor finds a new combination of meds that work to suppress his HIV, hopefully for a long while.

Larry’s HIV is one of many health conditions he manages.  He was also diagnosed with diabetes.  He had to have spinal surgery.  He deals with neuropathy, with its accompanying pain and sleeping challenges.  And kidney issues, too.  “I appreciate my doctors, and I try to look on the brighter side, but it seems like every time I go in, they find something else, another issue or another surgery I need.  It’s been a tough struggle healthwise.”  Larry recently found out he needs two additional surgeries.

Fortunately, Larry’s got a good support system.  He has a big, tight-knit family.  “Having your family disown you because of HIV – I’m so lucky that hasn’t happened to me,” he shares.  Larry’s best friend and roommate is a key part of his support system, too.  “Valentin was the first person I told when I got diagnosed,” he says.  “HIV affects the people around you, and I’ve been so fortunate to have Valentin through it all.  He shares my HIV journey.”  And his pets.  “They keep me busy, keep me going, give me something worthwhile to do since I’m not able to be too mobile.”

And TIHAN has been a great help, too.  Larry speaks with gratitude about his SAAF case manager, John, who connected him with TIHAN and the array of support he’s received.

“Financially, it’s hard,” Larry reveals.  “I’m on disability.  TIHAN’s programs help ease the burden on me, and my roommate too.  It really makes a big difference not having to buy all the cleaning supplies that come in your CarePackages.  And that $50 Fry’s card TIHAN has been giving me the past few months– it helps cover extra expenses for things like co-pays.  It’s just a little bit, but it sure goes a long way.”

His medical issues prevent Larry from being able to drive, so he relies on the bus, or getting a ride from someone.  “With limited mobility, I have to rely on others to get somewhere,” he explains.  He stays at home mostly, other than for essential shopping.  Larry has greatly appreciated TIHAN’s delivery of extra meals and CarePackages.

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Larry occasionally experiences frustration and depression.  “Sometimes I do wonder, What more do I have to go through just to get through my day, to have a decent day where I don’t have to deal with anything?” he states. “TIHAN’s Link Specialist have been great, listening to me and letting me talk it through.  It has really helped.”

Larry acknowledges there are still days when he ponders “why.”  But he tries not to dwell on it.  Recently, though, he went through an especially rough time.  His way of coping was out of character for him, he shares.  “One night I drank and used drugs, but I immediately realized that was the wrong way to handle it.  I had to tell myself what I would tell others in that situation:  ‘Take care of yourself.  Find someone to talk to.’  I was able to get back on the right path.  I am blessed to have good people around me.”

Larry is a firm believer that small acts of kindness can turn around someone’s day, and perhaps someone’s life.  “A lot of people don’t realize how much a small gift can do.  A bottle of shampoo or dishwashing detergent.  Just a little bit of kindness can go such a long way.  The simple conversation, that personal touch.  Sometimes, when you don’t have enough of that in your life, it’s priceless.  There’s no dollar amount you can put on that contact.”  As long as TIHAN is here giving people the opportunity to provide that kindness, Larry says, there will be brighter days.  “I’ve seen and even felt that kindness change [someone] from feeling worthless to feeling worthy.”

With the holidays approaching, Larry’s thoughts turn to his peers living with HIV.  “I worry,” he shares.  “I worry about people not being able to have the holiday gathering this year because of COVID.  It’s so important.  The once-a-year chance to dress up and feel special.  Receiving even a simple gift.  The joy of seeing people enjoy each other in that space where everyone can be safe, can be themselves.  It’s so important to people – I can see it.  Watching the interactions between people is so heartwarming.  I worry how it’s going to be without the holiday party this year.  That one holiday event, it’s beyond words, but I see if and feel it.  And I know for me I look forward all year long to that holiday party.”

We shared with Larry that, even though we can’t hold our annual holiday party in person, TIHAN is creating other ways to reach out and connect with people in safer ways, sharing conversation, sharing fellowship, sharing a gift as a symbol of care.

“That’s good to hear,” Larry says.  “Getting even a simple gift–it’s hard to describe.  A gift around the holidays is so important.  I don’t know how it makes you feel, but I’ve seen how it makes some of us TIHAN CarePartners feel.”

Larry believes small acts make a difference–every day of the year, but especially around the holidays.  And specifically this year–more than ever.  “If you have a heart, pass it on and share a gift with others.  Whether it’s a hug, or listening to someone, or giving a small gift to someone you don’t know.  Because you may not know what someone is experiencing, and it might mean the world to them, more than you will ever know.”

Larry’s journey living with HIV has taught him about the miracles of medicine but also its limits.  His journey has taught him about weakness, and strength, and friendship, and gratitude.  And it’s taught him that a life can be touched by a small act that can make all the difference.

 
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Volunteer Spotlight: Caroline–More About the Person Behind the Smile!

 

You never know who you’ll meet through volunteering, and the impact they’ll have in your life.  And the connections you’ll make and the impact you can have. Caroline is a testament to this reality, as her volunteering with TIHAN has reconnected her with a friend from her past, has involved her family in supporting TIHAN, and the lives she’s helped through creating fun and successful events that she’s helped with.

Caroline works for another nonprofit:  Western National Parks Association.  She heard about TIHAN through a colleague there—Dan Uroff, who serves as TIHAN’s board president.  “When Dan told me about his volunteer work, I was excited to get involved.  Having family members and friends who are living with HIV, TIHAN is a great way for me to support people in need and contribute to AIDS awareness and support right here where I live.” 

And, she added, “I love Dan, and it’s been great to be able to spend more time with him outside of work.”

Caroline’s job at WNPA entails overseeing the programs, philanthropy, and volunteers with the nonprofit.   “There’s such an important connection between nature and health and wellness,” she shares.  “We depend on nature for our wellbeing, and our lands depend on us to take care of them.”  WNPA’s mission is “advance education, interpretation, research, and community engagement to ensure national parks are increasingly valued by all.”

Born in Tucson, she’s the youngest of five children.  Family is important to Caroline, and once she got involved with TIHAN, she’s involved her family members, too.  Her husband, Tim, is a golf pro, and helped with TIHAN’s golf tournament benefit at The Views, where he works.  Her son, Pearce, has helped with our Turnabout for TIHAN benefit show, and he also starred (along with Dan Uroff) in a production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert when he was a student at Pima Community College which was a benefit for TIHAN.

Caroline’s parents own a bed and breakfast outside of the Chiricahua National Monument, and they’ve donated a weekend stay there as an auction prize through a TIHAN benefit event.  Caroline’s sister, a romance novelist specializing in male/male love stories, dedicated one of her novels to TIHAN and donated $2,000 to support our programs and services.   And two of Caroline’s girlfriends are regular volunteers for TIHAN benefit events.

Since getting involved with TIHAN seven years ago, Caroline has taken many volunteer roles and projects, including representing TIHAN at community events, serving on our Development Committee, co-organizing a wine-tasting benefit for TIHAN in conjunction with Dining with Friends, and helping plan TIHAN benefit events including Swinging@AIDS, Turnabout for TIHAN, and Treasures for TIHAN.

One of the great surprises early in Caroline’s volunteering with TIHAN was reconnecting with a longtime friend from Phoenix who was serving as a TIHAN Board member, who she hadn’t seen in many years.  “I had worked with Nate, in fact he was my boss at a coffee shop when I was in college.  Nate was actually present for the birth of my son, Pearce.  I hadn’t seen him in years, so it was amazing to reconnect with him and find out we were both involved with TIHAN!”

“What I enjoy most about being involved with TIHAN are two things,” Caroline says.  “Getting to meet great people, and supporting a cause that I believe in and people I care about.”

In addition to bringing her creativity and passion, Caroline brings great skills in fundraising to TIHAN, and a love of connecting with people.   All that, plus her smile and her laugh, makes Caroline an fabulous volunteer, and TIHAN is lucky to have her as part of our team.

Caroline’s message to the TIHAN community:  “I’m wishing everyone a happy and healthy holiday season, and all the best for 2021!”

 

We Have Some Volunteer Opportunities, Physically-Distancing, Of Course!

 

With an increased demand for support, we need volunteers who are able to help (with physical distancing and abiding by COVID-safe guidelines, of course).  We have resumed our monthly Volunteer Orientations and they are being held virtually via Zoom.

We have a wide range of volunteer opportunities including: administrative support, outreach and education, fundraising, and care and support roles working directly with people living with HIV.

Contact Maggie for information about our current volunteer opportunities, and we’ll get the process started for you, and sign you up for the Volunteer Orientation, on Tuesday, December 15.  Please reach out to Maggie at (520) 299-6647 ext 204 or VolunteerCoordinator@tihan.org.

Current volunteer openings include:

  • Link Specialist Volunteers (especially Spanish-speaking)
  • Operations Assistants (Front Desk Receptionist)
  • CarePartner Program Support Volunteers
  • Marketing Committee Member
  • Program Committee Member (with program coordination or evaluation experience)
  • And more opportunities listed on our website tihan.org

 

Reveille Men’s Chorus Offers Free Tickets to TIHAN Volunteers and CarePartners!

 

An incredible holiday gift to TIHAN volunteers and CarePartners:  complimentary tickets from Reveille Men’s Chorus to enjoy their holiday concert (online this year) between December 18-27. 

Their holiday concerts usually sell out three shows, and are always filled with great music, hilarity, and a positive message of love and inclusivity.  This year’s holiday concern is titled “BEAU WITH A BOW.”

Who needs Santa when we have Cupid?  

Zoom dating. A violin bow. A superhero. A family separated.  Three stories intersect in our winter choral musical.  Holidays are seasons for hope. A moment of miracles.  And finding the gift within.  If you just believe.  BEAU WITH A BOW premieres December 18 at 7PM and streams on-demand through December 27.

If you are a TIHAN volunteer or CarePartner in 2020, we will be emailing you the link and code to watch the concert free of charge as a holiday gift to us from Reveille.  Tickets for the general public are $15 and are available at ReveilleMensChorus.AnywhereSeat.com

We are grateful for this gift and for our partnership with Reveille, with their mission of promoting acceptance of LGBTQI individuals in a larger context through music and the talents of its members. 

 

Keep It Clean!

 

TIHAN’s amazing supporters have helped keep our CarePartners living with HIV stocked with essential hygiene and household items, even with the great increases in the number of CarePackages we’ve distributed!

One of the most important items that we can’t get enough of is cleaning items – specifically, antibacterial cleaning products.  It might be bleach, or an antibacterial household spray, or disinfecting wipes, but whatever you might be able to find and donate, it is in high demand and will be put to immediate use!

Please bring donations to the TIHAN office and safely leave them on the donation table outside our front door, Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm.

 

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A gentle reminder for all TIHAN volunteers to report all your volunteer hours for 2020.

Please click here for the link.

You can also submit your volunteer hours by visiting www.tihan.org, clicking on the “Volunteer” tab at the top of the page, then click on “Log Your Volunteer Hours.”  Thanks for helping us convey how many fabulous volunteers help out, and how much time you spend, as this is helpful in seeking grant funding.

 

2020 Tax Law Allows You a $300 Deduction for Donations to Nonprofits This Year!

 

For 2020 only, the Internal Revenue Service is offering an above-the-line federal charitable deduction up to $300, available even for individuals who do not itemize their deductions! This is a special provision unique to this year, to increase support for nonprofits during this challenging year. And it helps donors give more generously this year.

Contributions must be made via check, credit card, or cash by December 31.

Here’s a link to the IRS page with details.

 

 

TIHAN Holiday Schedule

 

Please note that the TIHAN office will be closed on the following days:

          Friday, December 25, 2020 in observance of Christmas Day

          Friday, January 1, 2021 in observance of New Year’s Day

 

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