Melanie Willis

Staff Photo by John Rawlston Kim Hackney is executive director of Nancy's House, a non-profit organization that provides financial and social support for people in Bradley and surrounding counties that have HIV/AIDS.

In February, doctors diagnosed Melanie Willis' 29-year-old son with AIDS and gave him six to 12 months to live.

The family knew nothing of AIDS/HIV resources to help them cope until a friend told them about Nancy's House in Cleveland, Tenn.

"Had we not been put in contact with these most excellent professionals, the consequences would have been dire," Ms. Willis said.

Six months after her son started taking medication, the virus is undetectable, she said.

Ms. Willis' son is among more than 70 people with HIV/AIDS who receive services from Nancy's House. To help pay for those services, the nonprofit agency is holding its biggest fundraiser of the year.

Nancy's House officials want to raise $25,000 at the 14th annual Deck the Halls Festival of Trees, set for Nov. 21 at the Museum Center at Five Points. More than 200 people are expected to attend, officials said.

Nancy's House provides assistance to people with HIV/AIDs who live in Bradley, McMinn, Meigs and Polk counties.

"We've realized that HIV and AIDS have affected our community and most of us now know someone who is HIV-positive," said Kim Hackney, Nancy's House executive director. "And some of us might have even lost someone to HIV in the past."

Along with information about resources and grants offered to people with AIDS/HIV, Nancy's House provides assistance to clients who are out of work and can't pay rent, she said. It also provides social support and HIV/AIDS education and prevention outreach.

Museum Executive Director Lisa Simpson Lutts said she attends the Deck the Halls Festival of Trees almost every year.

"It's a great way to kick off the holiday season and to support a very important cause," she said.

The fundraiser started with people donating decorated Christmas trees for an auction. More than a decade later, donations have included out-of-town vacations, restaurant dinners, Christmas baskets and a limousine ride, she said.

Proceeds from this year's fundraiser will be used for Nancy's House operating expenses, she said.

The agency helped Ms. Willis' son get a Ryan White grant that paid for his medicines, which cost $3,000 a month, Ms. Willis said.

She described herself as well educated, but without Nancy's House, she said she would not have known how to get her son the resources he needed.

"I told them I don't have a clue on how to deal with this and that I needed help and they gave it," Ms. Willis said. "And they continue to give it, and they don't stop."

Correspondent Meg Veal contributed to this story.

IF YOU GO

* What: Deck the Halls Festival of Trees fundraiser

* When: 7-10 p.m. Nov. 21

* Where: Museum Center at Five Points, Cleveland, Tenn.

* Admission: $20 per person

* For more information or tickets: 423-559-8592