Some of Joe's favorite local charities are those that offer assistance to veterans, as he's so grateful for those who put on a uniform and risk their lives to serve our country. Since its inception, the Goodwill Veterans' Fund has assisted nearly 250 veterans in Maine with everything from car repairs including tires, heating fuel and transportation needs. On that note, Joe hopes your schedule is clear tonight, April 25th from 6-9pm, when Goodwill Industries of Northern New England is hosting its sixth annual Little Black Dress Event at the Ocean Gateway in Portland to raise funds for Goodwill's Veterans Fund. With hors d'Oeuvres, a fashion show, a live auction, and a silent auction, this event is sure to be both a good time and a worthwhile cause. Find more about the event here. Joe wants to thank Goodwill for the work they do on behalf of veterans, and hopes the event is a great success.

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

Once again Joe would like to draw Portlander's attention to the cause of supporting those who suffer from cancer and the organizations who lend a helping hand to those folks. The American Cancer Society is a nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. This wonderful organization's mission is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer.

On Saturday, April 27, The American Cancer Society will host its inaugural Couleur, A Masquerade Ball at The Portland Masonic. Most of us recognize the color pink for Breast Cancer. Did you know that white is the color for Lung Cancer, light blue represents Prostate Cancer, and orange is the color for Leukemia? We hope you will join in as we have a fun night planned with dancing to the Carmine Band, ACS Lifetime Achievement Award, Silent Auction, a fabulous raffle, Nibbles from Blue Elephant, an Escape Event with Maine Escape Games, and much more.

Learn more about this great event here. Joe hopes the event is a great success and offers his thanks to the American Cancer Society for the great work they do.

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

In his work as a personal injury attorney, Joe has seen thousands of injured victims who come to him for help. While his clients are victims of accidents, Joe knows there are other kinds of victim who don't always have the same legal recourse, which is why Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine (SARSSM) is such an important resource. SARSSM began advocating for victims of sexual assault more than 40 years ago. Today, numerous professionally trained male and female Crisis & Support Line advocates answer calls 24-hours a day, 365-days a year. Advocates respond to calls from victim/survivors, family members, friends, significant others, and professionals working with those impacted by sexual violence. Volunteer advocates provide information, referrals, advocacy, and support to individuals reporting incidents of sexual assault. SARSSM continues to emphasize education and community involvement to end sexual violence. On Thursday, April 25th, from 5-9:30 PM at Brick South at Thompson's Point, SARSSM will be hosting the Annual Chocolate Lovers' Fling. This special gala event, featuring table service, multiple courses of chocolate tasting, and a silent auction is the largest annual fundraiser for Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine.

Talented local chocolatiers, from York and Cumberland counties, will showcase their creativity and serve their ultimate chocolate confections. Chocolatiers compete for awards, including the prized People's Choice award. All attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the judging process, and will receive expert guidance in chocolate appreciation. Attendees can also look forward to meeting the chocolatiers and placing bids in a silent auction featuring jewelry, art, getaways, and of course, chocolate.

Find more about the organization here, and about the event here. Joe hopes the event is a success but that you don't eat too much chocolate!

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

Readers of this blog are by now familiar with the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals, New England's largest horse shelter. The Society is caring for many horses in various stages of recovery from abuse or neglect. Some are healthy, trained, and awaiting adoption into a new permanent home; others will live out their days at the Society’s Windham farm.

It takes 20,000 bales of hay to feed The Society's horses for a year. The 2019 Buy a Bale fundraiser gives everyone a chance to help the horses. A $5 donation can purchase a bale of hay and feed a horse for an entire day. Learn more about the cause here, and donate to Buy a Bale here.

Joe offers his thanks to the folks at MSSPA for the great work they do, and his appreciation to the readers of this blog who lend a hand to this great cause.

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

Once again Joe is spreading the word about The Hemophilia Alliance of Maine, a local nonprofit with a mission to assist and enhance the quality of life for Maine’s people and families who have a bleeding disorder. This group hosts monthly meetings, which are open to the public, and offers services and support for those who struggle with blood disorders.

This Wednesday, April 17th, is World Hemophilia Day, when the World Federation of Hemophilia brings people together across the world to support the millions of people, mostly women, affected by bleeding disorders.

Learn more about the Maine Hemophilia Alliance of Maine here, and more about World Hemophilia Day here.

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

Calling all Portland runners: Joe wants to let you know that this Saturday, April 20th, is the Urban Runoff 5k, when runners and walkers will hit the streets and trails of Portland to raise awareness of water pollution and raise money to support clean water education in greater Portland and Saco areas. The date of the Urban Runoff was chosen to coincide with Earth Day and Spring's "first flush", when rain and melted snow wash pollution into our waterways.

The race is followed by the City of Portland's Green Neighbor Family Fest, where families and community members enjoy hands-on activities about water, live entertainment, and have an all-around good time!

These great events are brought to you by the Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District, a recognized and respected leader in natural resource conservation. The folks at CCSWCD accomplish their mission through public outreach; education; and directly working with individuals, watershed groups, municipalities, and many others to provide expert planning and execution of practices that protect our natural resources.

Joe hopes the day is a great success and urges you to learn more about the CCSWCD here and the 5k here.

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

Once an avid cyclist himself, Joe is happy to spread the word about the Bicycle Coalition of Maine's Great Maine Bike Swap,  held from 10am-1pm on Sunday, April 14th at USM's Sullivan Gym. The Bike Swap offers a great way to buy used bicycles at an affordable price.  You also can sell the bikes cluttering your garage or basement and turn them into cash. At the swap, you can choose from hundreds of bikes, including hybrids, road bikes, mountain bikes, children's bikes, recumbents and more. To find more about the Bicycle Coalition and the bike swap, click here. Joe hopes the event is a great success and that everyone finds the wheels they're looking for.

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

Joe wants to spread the word about National Donate Life Month. Every day in April, people across the U.S. make a special effort to celebrate the tremendous generosity of those who have saved lives by becoming organ, tissue, marrow, and blood donors and to encourage more Americans to follow their fine example. Last year alone, organ donors made more than 33,000 transplants possible. Another one million people received cornea and other tissue transplants that helped them recover from trauma, bone damage, spinal injuries, burns, hearing impairment and vision loss. Unfortunately, thousands die every year waiting for a donor organ that never comes, but you have the power to change that.

Joe urges you to find more information about this important subject here.

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