'Binky Patrol' Asks Trumbull Residents To Help Make Children Smile This Holiday Season

Information via Binky Patrol

TRUMBULL, CT — The Monroe/Trumbull chapter of Binky Patrol is in need of donors, quilters, knitters and crocheters to help them make children smile this holiday season.

According to a news release provided by Binky Patrol , the organization will be giving "binkies" to Al's Angels for distribution to tri-state hospitals, as well as social service agencies.

Each year, the organization provides at least 500 blankets, and their goal is currently to do the same this year.

Binky Patrol, a national non-profit organization based out of Oregon, makes and gives "binkies," or comforting covers, to children in need of a hug.

The blankets go to critically ill and traumatized children to show them they matter and someone cares about them, according to the organization.

The organization's Monroe/Trumbull chapter, which has been an official chapter for the last 10 years, has delivered nearly 22,000 binkies since the chapter began.

In addition to their huge holiday collection, the organization give blankets year round to area hospitals and social service agencies, such as the Center for Family Justice and Ruth's House, 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, whether its for a team, school, or community," the release reads. "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 and Camp Kesem, a camp for children whose parents have had a cancer diagnosis."

Any residents who want to help Binky Patrol by knitting, crocheting, quilting or making a fleece tie blanket is encouraged to do so.

The organization also thanked their "amazing community sponsors who have stepped up to be drop off spots," including the Edith Wheeler Memorial Library (Monroe), Last Drop Coffee Shop (Monroe), JBagels and Cafe (Trumbull), Vaughn Family Dentistry (Trumbull), Saugatuck Sweets (Fairfield), RPM Automotive Repair (Bethany), Crape Family Dentistry (Milford) and Seymour Congregational Church.

Binky Patrol will host two fall community events in Trumbull on Sept. 28 and Oct. 19, during which grant money supplies fleece and community members make fleece tie blankets. No experience is required, according to the organization.

"Another way to help is by becoming a sponsor so we can buy the fleece material needed to help us reach our goal," the release reads. "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. Our goal is to make the holidays a little brighter for these children and to let them know that they are not invisible."

More information can be found here.