Joe often uses the Time & Temp sign and this blog to promote local organizations that help Mainers during difficult times. That's why tonight the sign is flashing a message for The Cancer Community Center's Fight Back Festival. The festival, to be held this Saturday, September 26, is an annual family fundraiser that features a fun run and other entertainment for the whole family. In case you're not familiar, the Cancer Community Center is a local nonprofit, created by members of the Greater Portland community, whose mission is to support and promote the well-being of people living with cancer, their families and their friends. This wonderful organization offers free programming, thanks to a community of neighbors who donate time, money and talent to make it all possible. Please find more info about the event here, and the Cancer Community Center here. Joe sends his thanks to all the hard-working volunteers who make this event possible and who carry on the important work of the Cancer Community Center!

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

Readers of this blog know that Joe loves to spread the love to his furry friends, but this is the first message in honor of rabbits. This week, Joe is promoting Friends of Willow Rabbit Rescue. Friends of Willow is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing rescue, shelter, medical care, and spay/neuter services for abandoned, abused, or neglected rabbits in Southern Maine. Founded in 2011 by a group of individuals sharing a love of rabbits and with a common interest in rescuing and rehabilitating domestic rabbits, Friends of Willow is made up entirely of volunteers who dedicate time, money, and energy to move Friends of Willow toward its mission, which is to (1) place all of these rabbits into permanent and loving, safe indoor homes and to (2) educate the public regarding companion rabbit care, the benefits of adopting, and the importance of spaying and neutering. On Friday October 2nd, Friends of Willow will be hosting its annual art sale fundraiser at Reny's department store at 540 Congress Street in Portland. Find more about the organization here. Joe appreciates the work this organization does on behalf of our local rabbit population and hopes that the event is a success!

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

Joe is honored to again play a small role in Hospice of Southern Maine's Twilight in the Park, an event meant to help us remember loved ones who have passed. At this touching event, to be held on Saturday, September 26, over 1,000 luminaria each represent someone who has brought love and light into our lives. Joe is thankful that organizations like Hospice exist to provide comfort to those suffering from life-threatening disease, and he hopes that this meaningful and important event is a success. Find out more about Hospice of Southern Maine here, and about Twilight in the Park here.

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

Joe is always inspired to see the work done by medical professionals on behalf of sick children, and that's why he's promoting this weekend's 29th Annual Maine Children's Cancer Program Walk, an event that will take place simultaneously in seven locations across Maine on Saturday, September 19, 2015. The purpose of the MCCP WALK is to raise both awareness and funds for the Maine Children's Cancer Program, Maine's comprehensive treatment center for children fighting cancer and blood disorders. Please register today to participate in this year's MCCP WALK, and help support the Maine Children's Cancer Program in its effort to keep cancer from getting in the way of kids being kids! Find more about the walk here, and Joe says good luck!

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

One harsh reality of the times we live in is that some of our neighbors go to sleep hungry. Joe is particularly saddened by the children among us who suffer from hunger despite the fact that so much food goes to waste in our country. That's why he's spreading the word about Wayside Food Programs, a local organization currently in its 28th year of increasing access to nutritious food for those in need in Southern Maine. Wayside's hunger relief efforts include 11 free community meal sites, four mobile food pantries, a kids' healthy snack program, community gardens, and more. Wayside is currently observing Hunger Action Month, which takes place this September and was established by the Foodshare Organization. Joe hopes you consider lending a hand to Wayside or Foodshare and he applauds both organizations for continuing their noble efforts to end the scourge of hunger in our communities.

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

If you've seen one of the Joe Bornstein-themed Priuses driving around Maine, you already know that Joe likes to be eco-friendly whenever possible, which is why he's promoting the Greater Portland Sustainability Council's Green Fest. The Sustainability Council is a local organization whose mission is to help our region become a world-class model of environmental sustainability.  The Green Fest, to be held this Saturday, September 12th in Monument Square in Portland, will feature musical acts, dance performances, local foods, kids' activities, and more, all in the name of environmental stewardship. If there's one thing Joe likes more than a festival, it's a festival for a good cause, so he thinks you should check it out!

Find more about the organization here, and the event here.

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

Readers of this blog know that one of Joe's trustiest friends is his cat Theo, but that doesn't mean he can't appreciate our canine friends too. If you're a dog person, Joe thinks you should check out the 10th Annual Woofminster Doggie Carnival hosted by the Planet Dog Foundation. Planet Dog's mission is to amuse, explore, support, innovate, create, educate, celebrate and philanthropate... all in the name of the dog. The Woofminster Doggie Carnival, being held this Sunday, September 13, at Deering Oaks Park in Portland, will be an afternoon celebration of the dogs of our community, and the people who love them. Events include a silent auction, food truck, and tons of fun games for dogs and owners alike. Find more about the event here, and more about Planet Dog here. Joe hopes the event goes purr-fectly! No wait...

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

Joe is always happy to see local organizations that serve to help Portlanders, and always loves to spread the word about such organizations on the Time & Temp building. This is why today the sign is flashing a message for AARP, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment security and retirement planning. AARP Maine, the local chapter of the organization, has relocated to Portland's historic downtown area and will host a celebratory open house on Sept. 3 from 2 to 7 p.m. The festive event will feature refreshments, live music and conversation. Find more about this event and the organization here. Joe hopes the open house is a success and that this organization has many years of helping Mainers ahead of it in this new space!

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