Blankets For Children In Trauma

Binky Patrol Brings Comfort To Many

by Jill Weinlein

Life becomes exciting when creative and caring meet and lives are changed. In July 2001, Sherri Adelman, mother of two, met a woman at a car wash who led her down a new path in life. The path of giving to others. The woman was knitting while waiting for her car and the two talked about making blankets. She told Adelman about a non-profit organization, Binky Patrol, which makes and distributes blankets to children experiencing trauma in their lives. Kids who are sick, abused, terminally ill or living in foster-care homes receive colorful blankets to reassure them that someone cares.

Inspired, Adelman went online to www.binkypatrol.org and learned that the organization began in 1996 by Laguna Beach resident, Susan Roush. Her mother suggested that she quilt blankets for unwed mothers. Many don't receive baby showers and this is the only baby gift they receive. While sewing the blankets, Roush realized that she was combining her love for children and quilting to help those in need. The next day she thought of a slogan "Binky Patrol- Because I Care" and posted a sign-up sheet in front of her art gallery seeking volunteers. Five people committed that day and the first chapter was born. Today there are over 160 chapters across the United States and estimated 20,000 volunteers, thanks largely to exposure on Oprah Winfrey, who featured the organization on her television show in 1996.

Adelman found the nearest chapter in Santa Monica was far from her home, so she started her own. A writer from a local newspaper learned of her endeavors and wrote about the group. This brought a handful of sewing enthusiasts to her first meeting. Shortly thereafter, she received numerous donations of yarn, fabric and money to purchase supplies. The West Valley Binky Patrol began sewing, knitting and quilting. Their first blankets were delivered to local hospitals and the highway patrol. "These blankets comfort victims at accident scenes," states Adelman.

The chapter annually participates in a Bink-A-Thon, a one-day event supporting Make A Difference Day, sponsored by Paul Newman and The Daily News. Their last Bink-A-Thon was held in October at Bay Laurel Elementary School in Calabasas. Over 40 Binky Patrol volunteers and 100 Girl Scouts cut fabric, sewed quilts and knitted "works of art." Two Calabasas City Council members visited the Bink-A-Thon and congratulated Adelman on her efforts and success. By day's end the group completed 300 Binky blankets.

"A Binky Patrol volunteer is a special kind of person who expects nothing in return" Adelman says "The volunteers put so much energy into each blanket and then selflessly give them away. Often they never learn who receives the blanket. All they know is that they are making a difference in a child's life."

The chapter meets at 10:00 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month at Commercial Capital Bank in Westlake Village. Her volunteers range from six years to a very proud 90-year-old. They come from Burbank to Camarillo to attend meetings and be part of this very special organization. On average they make 120 blankets a month. The blankets are sewn, crocheted, or knitted. All are handmade, washable and made with love.

Last year, Adelman was contacted by the mother of a sick child undergoing treatment at Los Robles hospital in Thousand Oaks. When the nursing staff gave a Binky blanket to comfort her child, the mother wanted to thank Adelman for her act of kindness. She was so grateful, that she made two blankets in return to be donated back to the hospital. She saw the difference a Binky made and wanted families with children in hospitals to receive the same positive response.

Currently, the chapter is working on a project called "Rebecca's Quilts." John, whose wife Rebecca passed away from breast cancer, recently contacted Adelman. Rebecca was an avid quilter working on beautiful quilts to give to ill children at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. She left behind several unfinished quilts and boxes of unused fabrics. John was looking for someone to finish what Rebecca started. Some family members took up the task of finishing the quilts, but didn't need the additional fabric. A friend told John about Adelman's cause. He contacted her and gave the chapter the boxes of fabrics to make blankets in Rebecca's memory. The volunteers are busy sewing now, and soon will have a memorial with John at Children's Hospital to donate "Rebecca quilts".

The group donates their blankets to local hospitals, L.A. Family Housing, Interface, Center for the Partially Sighted, and children who have a need. Recently they gave colorful blankets to two sisters, ages five and seven, whose father passed away from cancer. A soft blanket is like a big warm hug.

Early volunteers often purchased the materials to make blankets. "Since my volunteers put so much time and energy into making the blankets, I try to provide the materials for them so they aren't spending their own money." She brings fabrics and materials to each chapter meeting. Adelman has an annual garage sale to raise money for supplies. She also seeks out sponsors to support her cause. So far the Rotary Club of Los Angeles, Wal-Mart and the City of Calabasas have generously donated. The chapter always needs soft washable fabric (cotton, flannel or fleece) and washable yarn. Gift cards to Wal-Mart or JoAnne's are also very useful donations. "Often people will learn about us and donate materials they have sitting around in closets," remarks Adelman.

If you would like to make a difference in a child or teen's life, contact Sherri Adelman at westvalleybinky@earthlink.net. Volunteers don't need to know how to sew, just the willingness to learn.