Events

It's Binky Patrol's 30th anniversary. Susan Finch marks the week with a look back at how one mention on The Oprah Winfrey Show launched the organization into 48 states almost overnight. She invites every chapter and supporter to celebrate this Saturday, gather friends, finish a stash project or a UFO, and send photos of how they marked the milestone. Susan also introduces Comforting in Color, a flexible new project any group, school, church, or business can run. Plus a look back at three decades of memories: golf tournaments, a summer of community quilting at a Wells Fargo branch, the Founder's Day Parade, braille binkies for blind children, and two throwback clips revisiting the chaos and joy of Disney's Give a Day Get a Day program and a massive Girl Scout troop blanket drive. Thank you to the national partners who made 30 years possible.
 
Learn More: https://binkypatrol.org
Donate: https://binkypatrol.org/donate-to-binky-patrol 
More Ways to Help: https://binkypatrol.org/ways-to-help/ 
 
Thirty years national — One Oprah Winfrey Show mention launched Binky Patrol into roughly 48 states almost overnight.
Comforting in Color launch — A new flexible project any group, school, church, or business can run in their own space.
Anniversary celebration invite — Susan invites every chapter and supporter to mark the milestone this Saturday with friends and a stash project.
Time capsule reveal — Susan's chapter will finally open a sealed time capsule from the 1990s that's never been touched.
Early supporters thanked — Susan thanks founding-era volunteers and partners, including the original golf tournament organizers and a Wells Fargo branch that hosted a summer of community quilting.
Disney and Girl Scout memories — Two archived clips revisit the chaotic, joyful drop-off days from Disney's Give a Day Get a Day program and a massive Girl Scout troop blanket drive.

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
 

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)
 
 

When the Altadena fires devastated Southern California communities, two organizations came together in an extraordinary way. Binky Patrol Director, Jeanne Malgioglio found ROWW while we and Al's Angels were looking for a way to respond and directly help the fire victims in Altadena. Susan Finch sits down with John Brotherton, Outreach and Partnership Manager for Reach Out WorldWide (ROWW), to discuss how a charity founded by actor Paul Walker has evolved into a powerhouse of compassionate disaster response. From curating personalized care packages in garages to operating full-scale distribution centers, John shares the intimate story of how dignity, authenticity, and community mobilization transformed chaos into hope. This conversation reveals the unexpected ways everyday skills—from truck driving to coffee making—can save lives during a crisis.
About ROWW:
Reach Out WorldWide (ROWW) is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit founded by actor Paul Walker. In January of 2010, after a massive earthquake devastated Haiti, Walker spontaneously organized a relief team that responded to the disaster. On the trip, he identified a gap between the availability of skilled resources and the requirement for such personnel in post-disaster situations. Upon returning from Haiti, ROWW was established with the purpose of fulfilling this unmet need.
ROWW continues to respond internationally to natural disasters worldwide ranging from earthquakes to hurricanes.
The organization's teams are small, allowing them to gather and deploy quickly. They pack efficiently so that they can carry their gear into the most remote and desperate regions. These are the people that have been excluded from the media attention and are too small or inconvenient for the larger non-profits to reach.
It would have been far easier and cheaper for Walker to affiliate his efforts with an existing organization and check in from time to time, but he didn't. He chose to get dropped off from a helicopter in Haiti, during a very unstable time, without a plan, in hopes of personally helping those in need. He accomplished his goal and was hooked. Next, he shifted his schedule around to go to aid those in need in Chile. Again, he not only funded the trip but also gave his own time. After a few more deployments he was finally at peace with his profession as he knew it was allowing ROWW to exist.
Reach Out WorldWide (ROWW):
Website: https://roww.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reach-out-worldwide/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReachOutWW/
Instagram: @reachoutworldwide
Twitter/X: @ReachOutWW
Volunteer/Contact: [email protected]
Binky Patrol:
Website: https://binkypatrol.org
Podcast Site: https://binkypatrol.show
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/binky-patrol/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BinkyPatrol/
Instagram: @binkypatrol
Twitter/X: @BinkyPatrol

In this segment from a recent Binky Patrol meeting, Area Coordinators who participated in the MrBallen Bink-a-Thon event share strategies for volunteer recruitment. Caitlin Peterson-Woolard discusses challenges with community outreach, while experienced coordinators Susan Finch, Terrie Madruga, Kathy Taylor, and Jeanne Malgioglio offer proven solutions including:
Leveraging church bulletins and service organizations
Engaging high school sports teams and clubs
Utilizing corporate volunteer programs
Maintaining relationships with past volunteers
Strategic use of social media and local publications
The discussion highlights immediate tactics and long-term relationship-building for expanding their volunteer base. We hope you find it helpful! So many ideas that only take a bit of time and digging for the best contacts.

In this first episode of our special two-part series, we're taking you inside our nationwide Bink-A-Thon debrief meeting, where chapter coordinators share their heartwarming stories from this year's MrBallen Foundation event. From Meridian, Idaho to Connecticut, from Southern California to Virginia, our volunteers united in their mission to create comfort one blanket at a time.
Join Susan Finch and chapter leaders, including Kathy Taylor from Irvine/Orange County, whose partnership with Girl Scouts doubled their volunteer turnout; Jeanne Malgioglio from Connecticut, whose team completed 145 blankets for Al's Angels and the Center for Family Justice; Director Terrie Madruga, who launched a new chapter in Meridian, ID with patriotic scarves for veterans; and Caitlin Peterson-Woolard from Woodbridge/Lexington, whose Girl Scout volunteers showed incredible enthusiasm, completing 15 blankets in just 30 minutes plus the 150 made the by the rest of the group. These stories showcase the power of community service and the impact of dedicated volunteers nationwide.
Learn more about Bink-A-Thons here.
Connect with the chapters featured in this episode here:
Jeanne Malgioglio - Monroe/Trumbull, CT
Caitlin Peterson - Lexington, VA
Terrie Madruga - Meridian, ID
Kathy Taylor - Irvine, CA
Susan Finch - Beaverton, OR
 
Thank you to the MrBallen Foundation for sponsoring this event!
 

In this episode, we're joined by Keri Banghart from Microsoft's Corporate, External and Legal Affairs team in Seattle. Keri recently organized a blanket-making event for her team as part of Microsoft's annual giving campaign. We'll discuss how they set up the event, its impact on local and remote team members, and the creative ways they're supporting their community. Keri shares insights on coordinating volunteer efforts in a large corporation and how these initiatives foster team bonding while making a difference. We'll also explore the power of hands-on volunteering and its ripple effect in raising awareness for local needs. Join us for an inspiring conversation about corporate giving, community impact, and the joy of creating comfort for those in need.
Action Item List: Lot of ideas here - https://binkypatrol.org/ways-to-help/
Organize a blanket-making event for your team or company
Research local shelters or organizations in need of blanket donations
Set up remote participation options for team members who can't attend in person
Prepare materials in advance (e.g., pre-cut fabric) to streamline the event
Track volunteer hours and utilize company matching programs for donations
Take photos of the event and completed blankets for sharing and promotion
Consider partnering with other organizations or nonprofits for larger events
Explore options for regular or annual volunteering events
Involve family members and friends in blanket-making activities
Share your experience with other departments or companies to inspire similar initiatives
#MicrosoftGives#MicrosoftVolunteers#MicrosoftCommunity#TechForGood#MicrosoftCSR#CorporateGiving#VolunteerEngagement#RemoteVolunteering#CommunityImpact#TeamBuildingForGood

There are many ways to list your volunteer opportunities. This short episode goes over some of our favorite volunteer and matching fund portals. They include: volunteermatch.org, benevity.com, and joindeed.org.
Tips include:
Have a checkbox that they agree to have their photos taken and used for your site and social media accounts
Link to a form if you are posting this somewhere like NextDoor or Facebook to get their info into your database
Include a checkbox for privacy policies and your promises to them.
Be detailed and keep the opportunities simple. 
Create a short video for the opportunity landing pages and specific landing pages on your site encouraging people to volunteer.

In this episode of All Volunteer All Heart from Binky Patrol, host Susan Finch welcomes Angie Marie, a community leader from Hood River, Oregon. Angie shares her inspiring story of creating Gorge SpeakEasy, a monthly storytelling event that brings together diverse members of the community while supporting local nonprofits. Through volunteer efforts and innovative partnerships with local businesses, Gorge SpeakEasy has become a platform for connection, personal growth, and community impact. Angie and Susan discuss the power of collaboration between organizations and how companies can give back to their communities beyond financial contributions. This episode is a must-listen for businesses seeking creative ways to make a difference in their local areas, emphasizing the exponential impact of cross-organizational cooperation. Join Susan and Angie as they explore the heartwarming potential of storytelling, volunteerism, and community-building.
 
Gorge Speakeasy on Instagram
Binky Patrol on Instagram
Gorge Speakeasy on Facebook
Binky Patrol on Facebook

Welcome to another episode of Volunteer All Heart from Binky Patrol. I'm your host Susan Finch, and today we have two of our amazing volunteers joining us to share their experiences hosting Bink-A-Thons in their communities.
First up is Binky Patrol director, Carolyn Berndt, one of our dedicated volunteers who helped organize a small but mighty Bink-A-Thon with kids from a local charter school. She knows the power of involving youth in service.
We'll also hear from Daphne Boyd, a longtime New Jersey Binky Patrol Area Coordinator who partnered with her local library for a Bink-A-Thon. Daphne knows the importance of engaging senior volunteers, using online volunteer platforms, and allowing flexible participation.
Both ladies have great tips to share from their events, which the MrBallen Foundation sponsored. They'll inspire you with how our volunteers unite to make blankets and hope for children and families nationwide. Stay tuned!Here are some key tips from this episode and our recent event:
Partner with organizations receiving donations to help promote and recruit event volunteers through their newsletters, social media, etc.
Involve youth groups like Girl Scouts or school kids to participate in service activities. It teaches them to help others.
Engage senior communities in making items, giving them a sense of purpose.
Use online volunteer platforms like VolunteerMatch.org to manage and recruit volunteers. Have multiple admins.
List your non-profit in volunteer directories like 211 and United Way to increase visibility.
Consider hosting events in different seasons to provide more opportunities for involvement.
Block enough time for setup, the event itself, and clean-up when planning. Allow some flexibility.
Develop partnerships with local schools, companies, stores, etc. to host drives or service days.
Provide options for volunteers with limited time, like setup/cleanup help only.
Learn more at https://binkypatrol.org