Given the hunger crisis in our state, Joe's team is always appreciative of local organizations that step up to feed fellow Mainers. Few have done more to help this cause than Wayside Food Programs, a nonprofit that has been serving hungry Mainers since 1986. The Mission of Wayside is to increase access to food for those in need in Southern Maine by providing a system for community-based volunteers who serve prepared meals where such meals are needed, and by collaborating with other hunger agencies and community stakeholders in developing an efficient network for the collection and equitable distribution of food. Wayside’s hunger relief efforts include: A Food Rescue Program, 14 free weekly Community Meals, 5 monthly Mobile Food Pantries, and more.

Registration is now open for the 2020 Maine Track Club Turkey Trot 5k Run/Walk! The event will be virtual this year, which means all participants will have between Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 29 to run or walk their 5k. Race the usual track in Cape Elizabeth or choose your favorite route! As always, all net proceeds will go to support the community through Wayside. Thank you to all of the racers, organizers, and sponsors for fighting hunger and strengthening our community!

Joe's team offers our thanks to Wayside Food Programs for the important work they do in our community and urges you to learn more about Wayside here.

                       Photography by Corey Templeton. See more of Corey's photos here and here.

Joe's team would much rather be promoting another great nonprofit, but these days it seems essential to remind folks that wearing a mask can save lives. If you aren't able to practice social distancing, please be considerate of your fellow Mainers and wear a face covering. Hopefully we'll soon have this virus defeated and will be able to enjoy each other's mask-free company soon. Until then, Joe says please wear a mask.

                      Image from the Portland Downtown Instagram page.

As another Veteran's day comes and goes, Joe's team is thankful for the sacrifices made by those who wear an American uniform and defend our country, and saddened by the challenges they often face when they come home. They deserve to be treated like the courageous heroes that they are. Thanks to everyone who has served and who plans on doing so in the future. Happy Veteran's Day.

                   Photography by Corey Templeton. See more of Corey's photos here and here.

Today Joe's Team is promoting the Maine Gun Safety Education Coalition, a grassroots organization founded in 2000 to protect Maine families and communities from gun violence. It is the longest-standing gun violence prevention organization in Maine.

The Maine Gun Safety Coalition provides free trigger locks to police departments, sheriffs’ offices, social services agencies, medical facilities, and other organizations, who then distribute the free trigger locks to prevent the accidental discharge of weapons by children and unlicensed individuals. More locations are being added every day, so if you're interested in this program, call your local law enforcement agency, even if you don’t see them on the map.

Joe's team thanks the Coalition for its work and thanks all Mainers who strive to make our state a safer place to live.

Learn more about the Maine Gun Safety Education Coalition here and about the Free Trigger Locks Program here.

                 Photography by Corey Templeton. See more of Corey's photos here and here.

The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein is happy to spread the word about the United Nations Association of Maine, a nonpartisan nonprofit that engages Maine people in U.N. efforts toward building global peace.

Founded by a small group of Maine citizens in the mid-1980s, UNA-Maine has initiated and co-sponsored more than 60 education programs about key social and economic issues. Part of the 120-chapter UNA-USA network, UNA-Maine is a statewide organization that works to inform Maine people about the activities of the U.N., while fostering public discussion and debate on U.N. efforts toward international peace-building.

This year, UNA-Maine is celebrating the UN's 75th anniversary with a special event on Wednesday, October 21st, at 7pm. Special guests will include Governor Janet Mills and many others.

The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein offers our thanks to this wonderful organization for the work they do, and urges you to learn more about UNA-Maine here and more about this special event here.

Joe's team recently learned of Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique S. "Kiki" Camarena, who was killed in 1985 by drug traffickers. Shortly after his death, citizens from his hometown of Calexico, California, began wearing red ribbons to remember him and commemorate his sacrifice.

The first official Red Ribbon Week celebration was created by the National Family Partnership in 1988. NFP continues to coordinate the campaign for families, schools and communities across the nation each year. Since then, the red ribbon has symbolized a continuing commitment to reducing the demand for illicit drugs in our communities. Red Ribbon Week raises awareness of drug use and the problems related to drugs facing our community, and encourages parents, educators, business owners, and other community organizations to promote drug-free lifestyles. Research shows that children are less likely to use alcohol and other drugs when parents and other role models are clear and consistent in their opposition to drug use and the misuse of prescription drugs.

Joe's team offers their thanks to the folks at NFP for honoring Enrique Camarena's legacy and keeping our communities safe. We urge you to learn more about Red Ribbon Week here.

Joe is happy to once again promote the Boo Bash, a Halloween fundraiser to benefit Simple Gifts. Simple Gifts is an organization that provides financial support and encouragement to patients experiencing a medical crisis, as well as their families. The organization is staffed entirely by volunteers. Joe respects and admires the work that Simple Gifts does, and is happy to spread the word about the Boo Bash, which will be held on Saturday, October 17th, from 7-11 PM, in the function room at the Italian Heritage Center at 40 Westland Ave in Portland. Find more about the organization and the event here. Joe hopes the event goes boo-tifully!

                   Photography by Corey Templeton. See more of Corey's photos here and here.

Like so many others, Joe believes too many Mainers have lost their lives to suicide. We regret the loss of each one. Joe wants to spread the word about one organization that's taking an active role in preventing these losses: The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Established in 1987, the AFSP is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death. AFSP is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that’s smart about mental health by funding scientific research, educating the public about mental health and suicide prevention, advocating for public policies in mental health and suicide prevention, and supporting survivors of suicide loss and those affected by suicide.

In the era of Covid-19, as we all try to protect our mental health and cope with uncertainty, it’s more important than ever that we be there for each other and take steps to prevent suicide. You don’t have to be a mental health professional to make a difference. There are simple things we can all do to safeguard our mental health, and you don’t have to do it alone. From learning the warning signs for suicide and what to do if you are worried someone is struggling, to advocating for smart suicide prevention legislation, to having a #RealConvo about your own or others’ mental health, to bringing education programs to your community, we can all learn new ways to help each other save lives. Together, we #KeepGoing.

Joe encourages you to learn more about AFSP here.

                               Photography by Corey Templeton. See more of Corey's photos here and here.