By Kimberly Townsend, Special to the On-line Forty-Niner April 29, 1997
Susan Jenkins, a Mission Viejo resident, has a heart of a gold when it comes to needy children.
She started Binky Patrol, a non-profit organization, which brings hand-made blankets to children who have been abused, neglected, or born with HIV.
The organization's mission statement is "Binky Patrol comforting covers because I care."
Jenkins started Binky Patrol in May of 1996 because her and her husband's art gallery was not doing well, she said, and she needed to lift her spirits.
She was visiting a framer and noticed that he had a big pile of fabric left over that he was going to throw away.
She knew how to sew and said that giving an abused or sick child a blanket was the perfect way to make them feel loved.
The organization started with five volunteers, then "The Oprah Winfrey Show" had a show about people who help needy children and televised information about Binky Patrol.
Jenkin's phone rang off the hook for three days with 750 people calling to help.
Binky Patrol is now a nation-wide organization with 2,000 members, including volunteers from Canada.
Volunteers range from college students, who have started a chapter at a New York University, to a 93-year-old women who has made numerous blankets for Binky.
Members start a group of volunteers within their community and sew or knit the blankets, then deliver them to needy children.
"Anyone can be a volunteer. There are so many different ways to help," Jenkins said.
Binky Patrol is funded by private contributions.
The blankets are patch-style quilts made from fabric donated by manufacturers, yardage stores and other sources, which would be normally thrown away.
The blankets are then brought to children at hospitals, shelters and social agencies for abused and sick children. Small blankets are made for babies and comforter-style blankets are made for bigger kids, including teenagers.
The child keeps the blanket after leaving the hospital or shelter.
"We give the blankets as gifts so the kids know they are not forgotten," Jenkins said.
"The Oprah Winfrey Show" is not the only arena that has recognized Binky Patrol.
The organization has been featured in broadcast and print media around the nation, including WXYZ in Detroit, Southwest Art Magazine, newspapers and radio programs.
"Our new push for volunteers is for students to help make and deliver blankets for Binky Patrol," Jenkins said.
"We have elementary and high schools already involved to help students recognize the signs of abused children and how to be compassionate and give back to them."
For more information in Binky Patrol, one may call (714) 587-9226 or e-mail at binky@commpro.com.