KJFS LAUNCHES 2ND ANNUAL JOE BORNSTEIN WINTER WARMTH DRIVE

Michael Klahr Jewish Family Services aims to honor Joe Bornstein’s legacy by providing winter boots to over 750 area students in need this winter

For Immediate Release

November 8, 2021 – Portland, ME

The 2nd Annual Joe Bornstein Winter Warmth Drive begins today and will run through Dec 7th, 2021!  Warm winter boots are a perennial need for students in our area, and this year we are working with 14 area schools to provide 750 pairs before the snow flies. You can help by purchasing boots online, which will automatically be shipped to the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine (JCA) and distributed by volunteers to local schools on a weekly basis (and if you want to shop locally, just let us know – we can make that work too).

It is easy to participate. Michael Klahr Jewish Family Services (KJFS) staff have coordinated with the social work teams at the schools to compile a list of all the various boot sizes requested. That list can be found here: https://amzn.to/3EN7rm2

Joe Bornstein helped to transform the social services and nonprofit landscape throughout Southern Maine, and the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein provided funds and brought awareness to countless causes and initiatives over the years. The JCA’s Joe Bornstein Winter Warmth Drive aims to honor his legacy while maintaining the commitment he made to serve the community.

Last year, the program was able to provide winter boots, plus additional winter clothing, for 449 students at six area schools. “Many of our families are experiencing significant economic and personal hardship and have needs that we, as a school, just cannot meet on our own,” said Kristin, a teacher at Westbrook Middle School of last’s year’s drive. “I am beyond grateful and thankful to the JCA.”

This year, the JCA and KJFS have added 8 schools to the partnership, with the goal of ensuring that Maine children can enjoy the season and focus on their education rather than the weather. Participating schools include Reiche, Ocean Ave, King, Talbot, and Lyseth schools in Portland; Brown and Skillin schools in South Portland; Canal and Westbrook Middle School in Westbrook; and HB Emery, Hollis, Edna Libby, George E Jack School, and Buxton Center Elementary School in the Bonney Eagle District.

# # #

FMI Contact:

Trevor Geiger | Marketing and Social Media Director
Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine
1342 Congress Street, Portland, ME  04102
207-772-1959 ext. 258
www.mainjewish.org