AIDS Athens is trying to get 750 Facebook fans by the end of July.

Members of the group believe social media will increase awareness of HIV/AIDS in the Athens community and help the organization provide its services to residents of Northeast Georgia.

“Facebook will also help us highlight our programs and organizational successes so that the community is more aware of our local impact and the services we offer,” said Viki Long, AIDS Athens office assistant . “Our events, fundraising campaigns and needs will also be posted.”

The organization is asking that students change their Facebook status to something that encourages their friends to become fans of AIDS Athens on Facebook.

Long said an ideal Facebook status would be “please become a fan of @AIDS Athens, a local non-profit agency that we support which promotes and educates HIV awareness in Northeast Georgia.”

The organization’s members also believe social media can be used as an opportunity to make people aware of the statistics and risks of HIV/AIDS and keep the disease on the public’s mind as an issue that is still relevant. AIDS Athens has three different housing programs for people living with the disease.

“HIV/AIDS takes a devastating toll on the body, and many individuals and families end up homeless because of the disease,” Long said. “Our housing programs keep individuals stably housed so they can better address their medical needs.”

Through social media promotion of events and HIV-related information, AIDS Athens attempts to educate citizens about the prevention of HIV and to change the public’s view of those infected with the virus.

On Oct. 20, local restaurants will host the annual “Night Out for Life,” where 10 percent of their proceeds will be donated to AIDS Athens.

In February, the organization will hold the “Festival for Life,” when participants host dinner parties and ask guests to donate what they would normally spend on a night out to AIDS Athens.

The Athens-based nonprofit organization was founded in 1987 to serve the needs of community members infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

The organization seeks to better the quality of life for its clients by providing free counseling, financial assistance and health care referrals. It also offers HIV testing.

The test is free and does not require the use of needles. It is anonymous and gives results in 20 minutes. Appointments to get tested for HIV can be made by calling the number listed on the organization’s website.

The organization serves Athens-Clarke County as well as nine surrounding counties.

“AIDS Athens appreciates the ongoing support of the community and the University and its students,” Long said. “The students from the University have been so kind to AIDS Athens and supported us as well as the individuals living with a disease that carries so much stigma and discrimination. We are very lucky and blessed to have this community support.”