The Monroe/Trumbull chapter of Binky Patrol is in need of donors, quilters, knitters and crocheters to help us make children smile this holiday season. We will be giving binkies to Al’s Angels for distribution to the tri-state hospitals as well as social service agencies. Last year we gave 500 binkies, but for this year, the need has increased to over 650 as more agencies have been added to the list.
Binky Patrol is a non-profit organization based out of Beaverton, Oregon. It is a national nonprofit organization that makes and gives “binkies” or comforting covers to children in need of a hug. Our blankets go to critically ill and traumatized children to show them that they matter and that someone cares about them.
Binky Patrol Monroe-Trumbull has been an official chapter for the last nine years, and we have delivered over 18,000 binkies since our chapter began. In addition to our huge holiday collection, we give blankets year-round to area hospitals and social service agencies like the Center for Family Justice and Bridgeport Rescue Mission, as well as to individual children who are in need of a hug. When a tragedy strikes that impacts a group of children or teens, we are there with our binkies. We have quickly gotten our binkies en masse to school groups and sports teams, and we have shipped them off to hurricane-ravaged communities in North Carolina, Florida, and the Bahamas. We have also provided binkies for the campers at Camp Hope, a resident and day camp for abused children run by the Center for Family Justice.
We have had two amazing community events this fall where each morning we made over 100 fleece-tie blankets. Teen groups, including Trumbull High School’s girls’ volleyball team, field hockey team (along with Trumbull Youth Field Hockey), and Madison Middle School’s KARE and NJHS have also had their own blanket-making events. These teens take time away from their busy schedules and learn the importance of helping others. As of November 4, our total count for this collection was 422.
Binky Patrol Monroe/Trumbull is still in need of sponsors and donations so we can buy the fleece material needed to help us reach our goal. If you or your business is interested in sponsoring us, you can click here. Please make a notation that the funds should go to the Monroe/Trumbull chapter.
If you want to knit, crochet, quilt or make a fleece tie blanket (or 10), please do so! We have amazing community sponsors who have stepped up to be drop off spots. These include the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library (Monroe), Last Drop Coffee Shop (Monroe), JBagels and Cafe (Trumbull), Vaughn Family Dentistry (Trumbull), RPM Automotive Repair (Bethany), and Saugatuck Sweets (Fairfield).
Our goal is to make the holidays a little brighter for these children and to let them know that they are not invisible. For more information about Binky Patrol, please reach out to chapter founder and coordinator, Jeanne Malgioglio at ctbinky@gmail.com