Jackson Free Press

Mississippi HeARTS Against AIDS' 22nd annual benefit is Feb. 8 at Hal & Mal's in downtown Jackson. Each year, the Valentine's Day-themed event features amazing art, food and music. This year the event is dedicated to the late cofounder of Hal & Mal's, Hal White.

It is a favorite art auction for many of the state's well-known artists, while also presenting new talent in the areas of art and music. Mississippi HeARTS Against AIDS volunteers devote time, energy, and resources to help those living with HIV/AIDS to live healthy lives and also to prevent the spread of HIV.

Mississippi ranks seventh in the national in HIV case rates, with a rate of 20.7 cases per 100,000 people.

The Mississippi HeARTS Against AIDS nonprofit organization started in 1992 as project of the Mississippi Episcopal AIDS Committee. It held its first benefit Feb. 13, 1993, at Hal & Mal's.

Since then, the event has become the organization's largest fundraising opportunity. The organization has since expanded its collaborations to reach their goals of helping Mississippians suffering from HIV/AIDS live healthy and lives and preventing the spread of HIV.

"HeARTS was started 20 years ago with the goal in mind of (providing) funding for people with HIV/AIDS in Mississippi because there was no such organization at the time," said Anthony Cloy, vice president of Mississippi HeARTS Against AIDS. To date, the organization has raised more than $1 million.

The Mississippi HeARTS Against AIDS benefit will begin at 6 p.m. and tickets are $40 at the door. For more information about the HeARTS Against AIDS Benefit, call Anthony Cloy at 601-259-0092. The JFP is a media sponsor.