I have a some amazing relatives that have devoted themselves to charitable work . Some have adopted an Orphanage in Honduras, some, on their vacations have dug wells for 3rd-world villages and one in particular, started a charity that brings small comfort to children in need. Many years ago Susie Finch decided to make blankets for sick kids and the Binky Patrol was born. In honor of National Make-a-Difference day in October the Binky Patrol holds it's 12th annual Bink-A-Thon. A nation- wide event to make as many blankets that they can in one day. I am proud that my cousin Susie agreed to be interviewed for the blog.
When and Why did you start the Binky Patrol?
In 1996 I had a failing business and a failed marriage. I was on the pity pot. In the back of my head I remembered my mom teaching me that when you feel sorry for yourself and it's all muddled up do something for someone else.
I had recently had a small fund raiser at my art gallery for a local battered women's shelter. I thought that was my answer so I called to volunteer. It was so difficult because I had to take scheduled classes before I could even begin to volunteer. This was too difficult and discouraging. I figured there were more working women like me who wanted to volunteer without a schedule. I began to pencil our logo and the plan came together in about four hours while I was in my empty gallery. I made a call to a local picture framer to ask for his left over fabric, wrote a press release for the local paper and put a sign up sheet out in front of my gallery that night during a street festival. Binky Patrol was born.
We had a huge kick-start when Oprah's "people" found out about us. It caught their eye because we helped children with AIDS and at that time many organizations didn't because they put some sort of blame on the children for the "situation." How stupid is that? If a child needs comfort, that's the end of it. Rich, poor, parents in jail, it doesn't matter. A child needs to feel safe, not forgotten and loved at all times. We do our best to accomplish that mission.
http://www.binkypatrol.org
How many blankets have you distributed so far?
It's hard to say. We have a lot of off-shoot groups that don't report. Our tax records -- isn't that fun -- taxes and binkies. We show at least 250,000 since we started in 1996. We also make and deliver our share of caps, gowns, dolls, pillows and scarves.
If someone wanted to get involved and they did not sew, what could they do?
We have a lot of chapters that need help locating donated resources: fabric, yarn, space to have meetings, shipping, postage. Some chapters have one volunteer that just keeps up with the required paperwork, another that specializes in deliveries and staying in touch with recipient organizations. Some non-sewing volunteers work with local schools to help them hold their own Bink-A-Thon events. We have one director that can't sew a straight line to save her life. She's our publicity director and speaks on our behalf at local girl scout troop meetings. If someone wants to volunteer, we usually find out their talent and what they enjoy doing but never have enough time to do that thing. THAT'S what we ask them to do for us.
What future events does the Blinky Patrol have planned?
We have our annual Bink-A-Thon each October on national Make-A-Difference day, or thereabouts. Usually falls on the last Saturday of the month. It is a nationwide event where each chapter gathers as many volunteers of all ages, as many sewing machines, lots of coffee, water, sugar and they make as many binkies as fast as they can in six hours. It's total chaos and a lot of fun. One year our local chapter had 75 volunteers, 45 sewing machines. We had the "kits" cut ahead of time and made 300 binkies in six hours, had donuts, fish tacos and a ton of coffee. It was a blast!
This year will be our twelfth Bink-A-Thon.
What is your favorite dessert and why?
That's truly a tough question. I have a favorite every-day dessert and my favorite annual dessert.
Every day I love cupcakes. White cupcakes with white butter cream or chocolate fudge icing. Once a year my husband bakes me a coconut cake from one of Emeril's recipes. It takes over four hours, has boiled sugar icing. It is AMAZING.
BIO:
Born in Lakewood, CA and raised in Orange County, CA. Susan now resides in Beaverton, Oregon near Portland. She has her own web solutions business that includes graphic design, special events planning and more. Binky Patrol is her charity love and she and her daughter spend each weekend making at least three things for others. Her husband, Tom is a product photographer and has been roped into being the treasurer of Binky Patrol because he picks up the mail and does the banking. Susan's other hobby time is spent in her fairy garden, reading to her children and playing any role the children dictate during pretend time each day. She left behind a huge family in California that she tries to keep up-to-date through her blog: thebeavertonnest.com and emails packed with photos regularly. She feels she is truly blessed.
--
Susan Finch
503-372-5671
BLOG: http://www.thebeavertonnest.com
very interesting, but I don't agree with you
Idetrorce
Posted by: Idetrorce | December 15, 2007 at 04:06 AM
Tina,
What a great interview. You look alike. Do you see it. i definitely see the family resemblance.
XOXOXO Sarah
Posted by: sarah Hensley | October 13, 2007 at 09:01 AM