Binky Patrol's Needs Your Help to Comfort Babies and Children Who are Ill, Abused and Homeless:

There is never a shortage of children who are homeless, in shelters, and living on the streets, plus all of those who are facing critical and terminal illnesses. We need your help to make more blankets to give to these children as a reminder that they are not forgotten or invisible - that someone truly cares and is sending them love.

Binky Patrol is celebrating its 16th Bink-A-Thon. A BINK-A-THON is where each participating Binky Patrol chapter gathers as many volunteers as possible on one day and SEW like crazy. Adults and chidlren are involved. Watching the children make blankets for "kids just like them" is so beaufitul. They have a great time creating gifts of love. This year, as always, it falls on National Make a Difference Day - October 22.

At the last Portland, OR Bink-A-Thon, over 100 volunteers gathered for 5 hours to sew 250 blankets to give to local area shelters and hospitals. It was amazing.

Here is a recent story from some recipients in Pocatello Idaho. Some of you may have read their tragic story over the summer:

There was a drowning in Pocatello, ID recently where 4 men and 5 children went fishing. One man fell in and couldn't swim - the other three - one a a time, went in after him and all drown while the children were on board witnessing this.  The eldest boy - 9 - had to make the 911 call.  Several families were deeply affected.  Binky Patrol went into action and sent ALL of them, including the wives, homemade quilts and blankets.

This came to us from one of the family members:

My name is Brad Hale.  On Aug 8 2010 we lost my 2 brothers, one cousin and a great friend to drowning. I may never know how you heard our story or decided this would benefit our families. but we recieved several of your blankets. You will never know how much we appreciate the thoughts and prayers ,time ,effort and donations.

Your blankets have not left our beds. The children cuddle in to them every night, and ask me to feel how soft they are. Its' hard not to feel the love put into every one. We love our binky blankets. this is an amazing organization.  I hope everyone involved knows what great people they are and thank you again.

- Brad Hale and family

To continue our all-volunteer effort, sometimes we need help. Binky Patrol is asking you to considering helping to sponsor the Bink-A-Thon or lend your support to a chapter near you. JoAnn Fabric gift cards for batting (the fluffy stuff in blankets that you don't see), fleece (soft, sweatshirt material) and thread are greatly appreciated.

If you would consider participating in this event, please contact Binky Patrol Founder, Susan Finch directly at: [email protected] or call her: 503-372-5671.

CURRENT SPONSORSHIP NEEDS:

Binky Patrol labels sponsor.

Twice a year the group orders tags that are sewn into blankets before delivery. The tags are important because they help others contact Binky Patrol if there are more needs for blankets. This is common at hospitals, shelters, and orphanages.

$500 for one round of labels - 18,000 labels with the Binky Patrol logo and one line:

Proudly sponsored by: your company name

Your Company Can Make Binkies and Get Involved:

Why not bring this to your company as an idea to get involved in the community? Companies like Ingram Micro, WalMart, BMC Software, 3M and many others have chosen to invite their employees to help make blankets, have an event where children can draw on squares, or visitors can draw on squares that are later sewn into blankets and delivered to a shelter near the company. The events are a huge hit or can be part of another event. Binky Patrol has a ton of cross promotion ideas.

Binky Patrol E-News and website sponsor:

This would place banner ads, article profile, etc. on the binkypatrol.org website. The site's exposure is increasing daily with the Disney promotion.

$100/month for site and enews ads 468 x 60 and one page article.

If you have more ideas or want to get creative, please contact Susan Finch directly.

For more ways to help, please visit the Binky Patrol website.

HISTORY:

When Susan Finch had an art gallery in Laguna Beach, she had been involved raising money through special artist galas for a local battered women's shelter - Human Options of Newport Beach. It seemed easy to help them and fun. When she tried to volunteer, it required a lot of training. Her time was limited due to owning a retail business and she was unable to help the shelter. Her mom had an idea one day to make blankets for unwed mothers. She asked Susan to help her sew them. Susan had connections with local picture framers through her art gallery and asked for their fabric remnants. She ended up with a pile odd blue, black, and off-white fabric. At that moment, a bell went off, she began to sketch a logo, came up with the name Binky Patrol and suddenly an organization was born within a few days. Susan had the idea for combining a love for quilts, children and helping others. This was much larger than Josephine Roush (Susan's mom) was ready to be involved in, but she supported her daughter 100%!

Binky Patrol officially began in Laguna Beach, California in May, 1996 with founder, Susan Finch putting a sign up sheet in front of her art gallery on Forest Avenue.  From its initial 5 volunteers, Binky Patrol has grown to over 160 chapters and and estimated 20,000 volunteers nationwide ranging in age from four to 94 thanks to the help of exposure on the Oprah Winfrey Show in June of 1996 Family Circle in 1998 and a truckload of media coverage from regional television, radio and newspaper ever since.

Headquartered now in Beaverton, Oregon, Susan continues to enjoy the enthusiasm and dedication of volunteers and chapter leaders across the country.

Over 700,000 blankets have been delivered to children and teens in need of comfort.