Joe Bornstein Winter Warmth Drive Update – Six Area Schools Being Served!

We are pleased to announce that through the community’s support, we have currently provided area students with 419 Winter Warmth items, including boots for all 202 students identified as being in need at Gerald E. Talbot Community School in Portland!

Because of this outpouring of generosity, we are now serving six area schools through the Joe Bornstein Winter Warmth Drive, including Talbot Community School, King Middle School, Ocean Ave Elementary, Canal Elementary School, and Westbrook Middle School.  The Howard C. Reiche Community School will be the recipient of the next batch of boots and we hope you will help us to meet the need of students there!

It is easy to participate!  KJFS staff have coordinated with the team at Reiche to compile a list of all the various boot sizes requested.  That list can be found here:

https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/I99SK31FIWUM?

Thank you so much once again for all you do for our community! Here are a few photos from Talbot and Canal school of boots arriving for students:

Background info:

For the last seven years, the JCA’s Michael Klahr Jewish Family Services (KJFS) has worked with local families to make sure children who visit our pantry receive support for weather-appropriate clothing as we head into a cold Maine winter.  This program has grown from serving a small group of 25 children, to reaching over 200 children in 2019!

As we enter the winter of 2020 and take into consideration the many changes presented by COVID-19 and recommendations provided by the Center for Disease Control, KJFS is pleased to announce our former Hanukkah Lights program is now the Joe Bornstein Winter Warmth Drive!

Joe Bornstein’s kindness and generosity knew no bounds. His support helped to transform the social services and nonprofit landscape throughout Southern Maine, as the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein provided funds and raised awareness of countless causes and initiatives over the years. To honor his legacy and maintain the commitment he made to serve the community, KJFS invites you to join us as we commit to providing winter boots to as many students as possible this year!

As teachers work to provide greater access to outdoor learning, we want to ensure each student can focus on their education, and not the weather.