Our History

Nina Acosta, the Area Coordinator for Riverside Binky Patrol, told us, "When I started doing this with my daughter 15 years ago, I didn't think that it would still be here!" Susan asked her the reason she's still in Binky Patrol and her favorite part. Nina says it's the stories. Knowing the difference a binky their chapter made given to one child keeps them all going. Being able to immediately handle the need of a child or family in their community is another driving force keeping them motivated. Nina says, "If somebody calls me and says, 'Hey, I've got a, a friend that their house burned down' or 'I've got some kids and that mom's struggling, they don't have blankets, and they're freezing,' just knowing that because of this, I can help them. It might not be a lot it's, but it's enough for what they need at the time."
Nina Acosta is a 15 year volunteer and chapter leader for Binky Patrol. She says being able to immediately handle the need of a child or family in their community is another driving force keeping them motivated. What did you do this month to change the life of a child in need? We have ideas on our website.

What we do is simple. We make blankets and give them away to comfort teens and children who need a reminder that they matter, that they are not invisible. But can a binky be more than a blanket? Definitely, listen to this quick episode on how you can send binkies through your phone. A binky isn't just a blanket.
If a binky is a reminder that someone matters and that they are not invisible and that someone cares can it be something other than a blanket. Yes.

People would watch Oprah DAILY. She inspired, and continues to do so. But she was upstaged in 1996 by little Hydeia telling us what it was like as a child to be born with and live with AIDS. The entire country wept with her, even though she fought back tears with enormous strength to tell her story and drive us to action. In the middle of it, Oprah showed a photo on the screen of Binky Patrol founder, Susan Finch holding a blanket and with her business phone number if you wanted to help comfort kids like Hydeia.
Let's put this in a better context. The internet was just starting. People got their news and found who to follow on television, radio, and in newspapers. Oprah was a big presence. AIDS was still a stigma. Children who were born with it were shunned, ridiculed, and ostracized as if they had a choice in the situation. They felt alone. When Binky Patrol started it was specifically for children like Hydeia. Plenty of organizations made blankets for kids with cancer and other diseases, but they were not addressing those with AIDS, born drug-addicted, in foster care, abandoned, forgotten, or invisible. Those 30 seconds launched Binky Patrol nationally because when Oprah tells you to call a number to help kids, you do it. We are forever grateful.
Lisa Cintron joins Susan to recall the impact 30 seconds on the Oprah Show had on Binky Patrol. We had launched less than 30 days prior, weren't officially a 501c3 yet, but were approached by the staff at the show because we were focusing on kids like Hydeia who had AIDS. People would watch Oprah DAILY. She inspired, and continues to do so. But she was upstaged in 1996 by little Hydeia telling us what it was like as a child to be born with and live with AIDS. The entire country wept with her, even though she fought back tears with enormous strength to tell her story and drive us to action. In the middle of it, Oprah showed a photo on the screen of Binky Patrol founder, Susan Finch holding a blanket and with her business phone number if you wanted to help comfort kids like Hydeia.
If you want to help, visit our site - there are many ways to help comfort these children. https://binkypatrol.org
 

Hear about a spontaneous non-profit grew to a nationwide organization from three people who were there 26 years ago. Miriam talks about walking the streets – of Laguna Beach, and Lisa talks about the streets of Skid Row, and how volunteering for Binky Patrol forever changed their lives. Learn about Binky Patrol and hear the reminder about volunteering and how it can be FUN, easy and give you forever friendships. Join us for this episode of All-Volunteer, All Heart from Binky Patrol hosted by founder, Susan Finch.
Learn more about Binky Patrol at https://binkypatrol.org . We are an all-volunteer 501c3.