All Volunteer, All Heart from Binky Patrol

Five new Binky Patrol chapters have launched — St. Marys, Georgia; Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania; Janesville, Wisconsin; Sharon, Wisconsin; and a drop-off location near Oregon State University in Corvallis. Pennsylvania's newest chapter made 86 blankets at their very first Binkathon, with a football team and student volunteers showing up to help.
June 20th marks Binky Patrol's official 30th anniversary — the date a shout-out on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 1996 turned a 30-day-old Laguna Beach group into a national organization, triggering 800+ calls in 48 hours. Some of those original chapters are still active.
Oregon volunteers: storage cleanout is this Saturday. Fleece, flannel, cotton, batting, and soft washable yarn only. No stretchy fabric, no sheer curtains, no burlap.
The October Binkathon is open to all chapters. Find yours — or start one — at binkypatrol.org.
[00:00:00] Welcome and new chapters overview[00:00:26] New chapter — St. Marys, Georgia (Latoya Wertz, St. Mary's Senior Activity Center)[00:00:49] New chapter — Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania (Pamela Scandale, 86-blanket first Binkathon)[00:01:12] New chapter — Janesville, Wisconsin (Dylan Thomas, Bodacious Brew Coffee Shop)[00:01:32] New chapter — Sharon, Wisconsin (Sherri Farning)[00:01:52] New chapter — Corvallis, Oregon drop-off near Oregon State University (Rania, Ryan, Zoe)[00:02:14] Mr. Ballen Grant and private donation funding social and chapter growth[00:02:45] Oregon storage unit cleanout — this Saturday; fabric needs[00:03:30] June 20th 30th anniversary preparation[00:03:41] The 1996 Oprah Winfrey Show mention and what happened next[00:04:06] 800+ calls in two days; original chapters still active[00:04:41] Mission — blankets as a reminder that kids matter[00:05:01] October Binkathon — find or host an event at binkypatrol.org[00:05:18] Final call to action — join, volunteer, start a chapter
 

When Liza Buck followed a stranger's car down a dirt road into the Maine woods as an 18-year-old, she had no idea she was headed to a grief camp. She thought she was going to lifeguard. That accidental detour became her life's work.
Liza is now on staff full time at Experience Camps, a nonprofit founded in 2009 that provides free week-long programs for children who have lost a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. What started with 27 kids in Maine now serves nearly 2,000 children a summer across 16 programs in 8 states.
In this conversation, Liza and Susan talk about what grieving children actually need, why the first question you ask matters more than almost anything else, and how a camper's fishbowl analogy captures something most adults spend years trying to articulate. They also talk about anger as a legitimate part of grief, the value of saying the words "death" and "dying" out loud, and what it looked like when a Binky Patrol blanket showed up on a 30-degree May night in Connecticut.
Liza shares how volunteers can get involved, where camps are located, and what families need to know about applying.
experiencecamps.org binkypatrol.org
Liza Buck
Liza has been a teacher, CAD counselor, and has been involved with Experience Camps since 2014, beginning as a bunk counselor and then operating as the Program Director for Experience Camps in California. In addition to her teaching degrees, she earned her MSW at the University of Maine and is a licensed master social worker. Liza has a passion for kids and mission-driven work which is why Experience Camps feels like “home.” When she's not doing "the best work ever," you can find her with her dog or baking cookies.
 
Liza Buck, LMSW  Senior National Camp Manager (she/her) 
(207) 554-0348  [email protected]
experiencecamps.org | @experiencecamps
 

In this update episode, founder Susan Finch shares what Binky Patrol chapters are doing right now, from sending handmade blankets to tornado victims in Illinois and Indiana (in partnership with Reach Out Worldwide) to launching the Active Seniors campaign, expanding Greek life events in Connecticut and Oregon, and preparing for Bink-A-Thon in October.
The official 30th anniversary lands on June 19th — the date Binky Patrol went national, time zone by time zone, when it appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show for National AIDS Awareness Day. Susan gives a shout-out to author Jennifer Chiaverini, whose book Round Robin from the Elm Creek Quilts series is part of their celebration reading list.
The Bink-A-Thon, sponsored by the Mr. Ballen Foundation, is ramping up. And Mr. Ballen himself is heading out on a live storytelling tour this summer — including a stop in Portland, which happens to land right around the 30th anniversary date.
Susan also breaks down all the ways to get involved: become a chapter, host a one-time event, or set up your business as a drop-off location — with your logo, your info, and your choice of where local blankets get delivered.
One volunteer hour a month. That's all it takes.
Learn more and get involved at binkypatrol.org
Links Referenced in This Episode
binkypatrol.org — Binky Patrol main site
binkypatrol.org/active-seniors — Active Seniors campaign
binkypatrol.org/greek-life — Greek life campaign
roww.org — Reach Out Worldwide (tornado relief partner)
ballenstudios.com — Ballen Studios (live storytelling tour dates)
mrballen.foundation — Mr. Ballen Foundation (Bink-A-Thon sponsor)
tvctv.org — TVCTV (local community cable, PSA submissions)
 
 

What does a wet diaper, an empty sippy cup, and a blanket in a backseat have to do with a warehouse full of hope? Everything.
 
Susan Finch sits down with Stacy DeWitt, Executive Director of James Storehouse in Newbury Park, California — and it turns out they’ve been serving the same kids all along. The connection? Carolyn Berndt, one of Binky Patrol’s All Volunteer – All Heart directors, who also works with Stacy at James Storehouse.
“The number one comfort item — from toddlers to teenagers — no matter the season, is a handmade blanket.” — Stacy DeWitt
Stacy shares the raw, real story of how a year of prayer and fasting led her to foster care — and how one phone call from a police officer, one three-year-old in a wet diaper, and one blanket from the backseat of her car became the spark that launched James Storehouse in 2014.
“Some of the kids have never celebrated their birthday in their entire life, and they’re 22 years old.” — Stacy DeWitt
Stacy reveals the number one item every foster child asks for — no matter the age, no matter the season — and it’s exactly what Binky Patrol has been making by hand for 30 years. She also walks us through Beautiful You, an annual event designed to give teen girls rescued from trafficking something they’ve rarely experienced: safe touch, dignity, and the feeling of being seen.
This episode will make you want to pick up a needle, some yarn, or your checkbook — and do something.
Resources mentioned:
James Storehouse: jamesstorehouse.org 
Beautiful You: jamesstorehouse.org/beautiful-you-2026
Binky Patrol: binkypatrol.org 
Volunteer or take a tour: jamesstorehouse.org/volunteer

Jeanne Malgioglio has been running Binky Patrol's Connecticut chapter for years, and she's figured out something a lot of volunteers never do: how to ask for money without hating every second of it. In this episode, Susan Finch sits down with Jeanne to talk through what actually works when it comes to local fundraising — and what's mostly a waste of time.
Jeanne shares why she skips the big community foundation grant cycles (too many hoops, too many closed windows) and goes straight to Rotary clubs, utility companies, car dealerships, and local businesses that want to be part of something good. She walks through how she builds her outreach letters — short, authentic, and focused on a specific urgent need — and why she tailors each one rather than sending a generic blast.
They also dig into the power of Facebook community pages and neighborhood groups, how to make your events visible without being pushy, and how the next generation of volunteers — including students — are already taking initiative and learning to fundraise on their own.
If your chapter needs materials or money and you're not sure where to start, this one's for you.

When Cheryl Bean's friend mentioned her mother was moving into a senior community, she saw an opportunity that would change everything. What started as helping one resident who loved to sew has grown into a beautiful movement across Texas retirement communities.
In this heartwarming episode, Susan sits down with Cheryl Bean, Area Coordinator for Binky Patrol's Texas chapter, to talk about something special: bringing the joy of giving to senior communities. It's not just about making blankets (though that's wonderful too). It's about giving residents purpose, community, and the chance to use their talents to help children in crisis.
Cheryl shares creative ways seniors are contributing—from traditional crocheting and quilting to coloring fabric squares like they're kids again, braiding dog toys from fleece scraps, and creating "stripy blankets" when arthritis makes other crafts difficult. These aren't just activities; they're lifelines of connection.
You'll hear stories that'll make you smile: the 94-year-old who lights up when coloring blocks, the lady who came with a hundred baby hats and left learning to make full blankets, and the family who showed up grumpy but now returns every year.
This conversation is about more than crafting. It's about dignity, community, and the truth that we all need to contribute something meaningful—no matter our age. Whether you're looking to engage seniors in your area or simply want to hear how Binky Patrol is building bridges across generations, this episode will inspire you to think differently about what's possible.
Visit Cheryl's chapter page here.

Celebrating 30 years of making a difference, Binky Patrol founder Susan Finch shares five strategic initiatives designed to expand volunteer recruitment and engagement for small nonprofits. From Greek life partnerships to senior community programs, these practical approaches offer actionable blueprints for organizations looking to grow their impact.
Susan breaks down specific campaigns targeting college sororities and fraternities that already support children's charities like St. Jude's, showing how blanket-making events can complement existing fundraising efforts. She explores the untapped potential of senior communities where residents maintain crafting skills and desperately need purpose and community connection.
The episode also reveals Binky Patrol's mapping strategy to identify gaps in coverage by partnering with the Mr. Ballen Foundation, plus a quarterly challenge system to keep volunteers engaged year-round. Whether you run a nonprofit or want to understand volunteer mobilization strategies, this episode delivers concrete ideas you can implement immediately.
Learn how to get involved: https://binkypatrol.org 

In this practical solo episode, discover how you can meaningfully support your favorite causes without leaving home. Learn why sharing nonprofit content on social media isn't "slacktivism"—it's a powerful tool that expands reach, attracts donors, and recruits volunteers.
Get actionable tips for amplifying the missions you care about, all from the comfort of your couch, possibly while wearing your favorite pajamas. Because making a difference doesn't always require leaving the house.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/binkypatrol
https://twitter.com/binkypatrol
https://instagram.com/binkypatrol
 

This week's episode started with technical difficulties but ended with a powerful message about community support during difficult times. When a grieving grandmother in our sewing group asked if she could skip painful ornament memories with a pink Christmas tree, we didn't just give permission - we gave her new ornaments handmade with love. Kind of a binky for this grandma - just different shapes. Stll a reminder that we care.
As we enter December and Binky Patrol's 30th year, I'm challenging you to find your own way to make a difference. Whether it's supporting neighbors during government shutdowns, turning family gift exchanges into charity donations, or organizing blanket-making gatherings, there's always a way to help.

From Business Meeting to Beautiful Mission: When a routine client meeting with Mod Op's Kevin Krekeler transformed into an inspiring conversation about adaptive sports and giving back, we knew we had to hit record! In this spontaneous episode of All Volunteer All Heart from Binky Patrol, host Susan Finch discovers the incredible work Kevin does with Dallas Stars Adaptive Sports, providing hockey and life-changing experiences for youth and adults with intellectual, emotional, and physical disabilities. Learn how one mom's dream of being a 'sports mom' came true and why Kevin says this volunteer work 'fills his cup' after a demanding work week. Plus, hear Susan's hilarious story about scooter hockey chaos during her youth ministry days!
Links Referenced
Dallas Stars Adaptive Sports: https://www.nhl.com/stars/community/adaptive-sports
American Special Hockey Association: https://www.specialhockey.org
Binky Patrol: https://binkypatrol.org
All Volunteer All Heart Podcast: https://binkypatrol.show
Mod Op: https://www.modop.com
Kevin Krekeler on LinkedIn