Whew - Time is Flying.....

Mary Englebreit

As we work on winding up 2012, I can't believe how fast this year has flown by!  So many things going on and we are just trying to keep up.  We are trying hard to get everything we have available out to those whose needs are the greatest.  No easy feat!

Hurricane Sandy has thrown some extra challenges at us but we are pulling together to provide blankets and more to New York and New Jersey.  Our Quilter Anita has headed up this project and as always she is busy making it happen.  We have found a couple of ways to get our blankets to those who are in need in those areas.  If you know of other needs for the victims of this disaster, please don't hesitate to let us know.

Christmas will be here in the blink of an eye and Anita has out done herself this year on the challenge to get as many preemie blankets out to the NICU's in SC and in the Charlotte area.  If all goes well, we should exceed our goals and have some to spare.  This is one of our favorite projects and so close to our hearts.  Can't wait to start sending them out to the NICU's!!

We have been very fortunate this year to receive so many wonderful donations of materials, blankets and quilts, as well as hats and booties and even a few sweaters.  If you have been a part of this, please know that we appreciate you more than you will ever know.  If you are looking for a project, just email us and we will get you started.  Don't forget we can provide receipts, community service forms and documentation and we can help your scouts earn badges - not to mention the joy of providing something for a child in need. 

As we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving, we are so very thankful for each and every one of you who make the Binky Patrol South Carolina possible.  We wish you much joy and happiness during this Holiday Season!!

Fall is Here......

Fall is rounding the bend and I for one am very happy to see it!!  We have very hot summers here in South Carolina and many of us dream of the cooler temps and less humidity.  But along with the joys of the season comes the need for more blankets, hats, booties and more.  Our winters are typically mild here but little ones always need to be warm and secure. 

We have had some exciting happenings in the past few weeks.  We had another young person work with us on a community service project and that is always exciting.  We received another box from Louisa and her friends in Italy.  As always the quilt tops and orphan squares are just beautiful!!  Many of them are the perfect size to be used for our Preemie Quilt Drive.  We also had a delivery of materials from Sara and it included so many gorgeous fabrics, yarn and many special things we rarely receive like ric rack.  We can put all of these to good very good use!!

Anita and her quilters are buzzing away with the Preemie Quilts and I believe we will exceed our wildest dreams this winter.  It is so exciting to see the pictures of all of the sweet little creations as her groups puts them together.  How wonderfully dressed the NICU's will be this Holiday Season and Christmas!!

Another exciting development is that we have found a wonderful lady - actually someone I went to high school with, who adopts a group of Army men and women.  They will be returning to Afghanistan this November and we will be sending blankets to help this project.  We are so honored to help Cherry and her husband assist these young people and hopefully ease their burden just a little.

Stay tuned - we are very busy and things are coming and going.  More pictures will be posted soon - be sure to watch the Flickr feed on our blog.  As always, if you would like to get involved and help, please do email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com or visit our site at BPSC.CO.  There is always lots to do and we can use every pair of hands we can get!!

Arf Arf...Who Let the Dogs Out.....

Squee - the most wonderful surprise was waiting for us a couple of weeks ago! A box from Tracy filled with a beautiful assortment of yarn and some of the cutest little doggies and other animals you ever saw!!  They are so cute words cannot express so here is a pic.  These are just perfect for the Boys Home of the South!  It is so hard to find things that are appropriate for young boys but these dogs really hit it out of the park.  What boy wouldn't want to share secrets with these guys and have a friend to talk to in the darkness of night.  I know they will be loved and cherished!  I can't wait to get them shipped off.

The yarn was so welcomed also - we are working hard on hats and sweaters for the fall and winter ahead.  This box along with a wonderful shipment from our very own Quilter, Anita, will get us moving on the right track.  We can't thank you both enough!!

We are still working to get pictures of all of our beautiful items received so far this year.  Keep checking our Flickr to the left and the Facebook page.  We are so very thankful for each and every item we receive!!  It is through your generosity and thoughtfulness that the BPSC's work is made possible!

Stay cool and enjoy your Summer and ......dream of the beautiful fall to come!

Anita and the Quilters are Back!!!

Anita Black ~ Quilter
Extraordinaire

Not that they ever went anywhere - they have been quietly working away in the background all along!  They are back to work on the Preemie Christmas Project and we are beyond excited!!!  We hope to get packages out to all of the local NICU's as well as a box to Charlotte.  These hospitals are very busy and get so many preemies in and the NICU is a scary place to be, even more so at the holidays.  The tiny little quilts warm and decorate the isolette.  The nurses love receiving them and they then become a gift for the family and a cherished memory for the family and the baby.

Preemie Projects are one of our very favorites at the Binky Patrol SC.  Both North and South Carolina have high rates of premature births and our local hospitals work very hard to make this transitional time a strong beginning for the families involved.  Unfortunately many of these families are financially stressed as well and the gift of a handmade quilt is so appreciated. 

Last year in 2011 we were able to send our more than 100 Preemie Quilts to the Neonatal Intensive Care Units here in South Carolina and one in Charlotte, NC.  We put this little notice out:  The Binky Patrol SC need help with preemie quilts - little tiny quilts sized 20 X 20 to send home with preemies that spend their first days and weeks, sometimes months, in the NICU ~ the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  For any family that experiences this, they don't soon forget the trauma and worry and you are forever filled with gratitude when you are able to take that wonderful little bundle home with you.  Well little did we know that our Number One Quilter, Anita, would take this in hand for us and make it happen.

This year Anita is getting her group going early so that she can ensure that the needs will be filled in time for the holidays.  If you are a quilter, or know of someone who is, please let them know about this group.  It is open for anyone to join.  These little quilts can be very easy and made in a pillow case style for those who don't want to piece or can't.  Being involved is more rewarding than you can imagine!  For more information visit Anita's FaceBook page here!  Email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com if you need more info and I can put you in contact with Anita.  If you would rather donate supplies to help with this project, we can let you know how to send them to her as well.

Thank you so much Anita for tackling this wonderful effort again this year.  We will never be able to thank you enough!!  You are our shinning star!!

Follow our progress on Anita's page as well as the BPSC FaceBook page located here!

Wow - Summer is Here Already!!!

I just don't know where this year has gone.  It has wings and it's flying.  We are working hard right now to inventory all of our finished items so that we can get them matched up to recipients before the summer is over and to head off cooler weather.  We are so fortunate to have items to inventory and so thankful for all of the wonderful things we have received.  If you have been a part of that, please know that we greatly appreciate every single item that we receive!!  We try to get packages posted on Facebook within a day after they arrive but if we have missed something you have sent in, please do call our attention to it right away.  During our inventory process, we will work to get pictures up of everything we have on hand - even if it has been pictured before.  We love to show off the beautiful things we receive and we hope to inspire everyone at the same time.

Even though the weather is very warm outside right now, there are still many needs for shelters, NICU's, orphanages, etc.  The needs never stop and we are always so thankful to get anything you would like to send us. 

We are working on something new - The Pink Project - and we will be sending NICU Smocks for Preemies to local hospitals.  We have a very simple pattern provided to us by The Pink Project and we can send it to anyone who would like to be involved.  Their goal is to provide a new gown to every preemie who leaves the NICU as a gift.   Read more about this group here.  If you don't enjoy sewing, we can use all sorts of supplies to make these and they are listed on the link.  So excited to be a part of this project!!

We want to also congratulate Binky Patrol National on their 16th Anniversary!!  Congratulations Susan and we are so glad it all began 16 years ago!!  BPSC is now a big two years old and growing strong!!  Thank you all who have made it possible.  Keep a watch on our blog as we stay busy this summer!!

March Madness is Coming.....

March Madness - and no I'm not talking basketball.  We are buzzing around here trying to get caught up and ready for spring.  It seems this year is flying by faster than normal. We have been blessed with an embarrassment of riches so far!  In the last two months we have received some beautiful quilts, many crochet and knit items as well as two gorgeous quilt tops from a Binky Patrol friend in Italy.  We also have some wonderful fabrics and yarns in our stash and we are dreaming of what we will create in the coming months.  How exciting.  Now we are working very hard to get these all out to recipients for Spring.

We want to send a special thanks to the ladies at Palmeto GBA ~ they sent over two large bags of goodies that are just awesome.  Included are two large soft blankets along with beautiful crocheted hats and blankets, an adorable dress and booties.  We so appreciate this donation and the bulk of it will be going to our newest recipient, The Family Shelter, here in Columbia.  This shelter is rare in that they take in families.  Most shelters are set up for either women or men and families must be separated.  We are so very happy to add this shelter to our list of recipients!!  Thank you so much Palmetto GBA for getting this donation going for us!!  We so appreciate you!

We are Thinking BLUE for February.....

We are thinking BLUE for February!  For some reason most groups receive 2 or 3 times the amount of girl items as boys.  I know it can be so much fun making the cute frilly pink things.  I especially like crocheting dresses myself.  But the boys need just as much as the girlies.  We are having a Boy Drive in the month of February to do our best to collect more blankets, hats, booties, clothing and more for our boys! 

If you need ideas or patterns, let us know - we have lots.  Blues and greens are great boy colors and there are lots of variegated boy colored yarns out there.  I am always drawn to them - I guess because I have 4 boys.  It seems there are more boy patterns in fabrics these days as well.  Jump in and help if you can - even just one little blue hat or booties would be so helpful.  Email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com or visit our web site at bpsc.co.

Ringing in the New Year.....

January is such a great time to start planning and dreaming of what we can accomplish in the New Year!  Winter is also the time when needs are the most pressing - especially for those who are homeless or those who are not able to keep their homes heated well.

 We are working on year end reports so that we can let you all know how we did last year.  I do know that we almost doubled our 2010 contributions - that is pretty exciting.  We are nearing our 2nd anniversary as a chapter and that is so exciting as well!

In the new year we will be working to find local girl scout troops who would like to earn a badge for their assistance.  What a great way to teach young girls to give back and be a part of this wonderful organization.  Susan (our founder) has made available a beautiful patch the girls can earn by participating.  Please contact us if you would like to get involved in this new project.  This is the 100th Anniversary for Girl Scouts of America - what better time for them to be involved in BPSC.   The patch is on the right and we are so very proud of this.  Keep watching and jump in when you can - we always need more hands.  Email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com.

This is Why.....

Many times I forget why we do what we do and while there are many reasons, the one that always comes back to me is it's about the Babies!  We do things for all ages of children even into young adulthood, but it always begins with the babies.


Babies are our future, they are the continuation of life and they give us hope in all things.  They are innocent and totally dependent and helpless - without love and care they cannot survive.

I stumbled onto this story today through another blog that I frequent and it just broke my heart.  Little Afton Jean was born on November 22, 2011 and lived a very short seven days.  But in that short time she made a difference in many lives and continues to do so.  This story may be disturbing and upsetting for many, but in reading about this sweet little miracle we see a glimpse of a small sweet soul who makes us want to hug our babies and children a little tighter each day. 

So---if each of us who has been fortunate enough to have a healthy child in our lives would make a point to reach out and help those who have struggled we could make a difference.  Many babies born too soon don't have a warm hat or blanket or in the event of the worst, a burial outfit.  Take a minute to make a difference.

Anita and the Quilters.....

I believe most of us know someone or know of someone who quilts - they make magic with fabric and thread and thereby create love in a blanket.  A couple of years ago, I was so very fortunate to meet a quilter extraordinaire  - I say this because her quilts are so filled with love that they speak to you - truly!

This year we put out a notice to our little group, The Binky Patrol SC, for preemie quilts - little tiny quilts sized 20 X 20 to send home with preemies that spend their first days and weeks, sometimes months, in the NICU ~ the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  For any family that experiences this, they don't soon forget the trauma and worry and you are forever filled with gratitude when you are able to take that wonderful little bundle home with you.

Well Anita took the request to heart and we just finished taking pictures of a whopping 86 Preemie Quilts!!!  Our group has never been able to send out quilts to the local NICU's - we have never had enough.  All of our items for the smallest babies have normally been sent out of state to be lumped with others to make enough for other state's NICUs.  This year we will be supplying these little treasures to the following hospitals - shipping out on Monday:  Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte; Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital; Palmetto Baptist Hospital; Lexington Medical Center and the Medical University of SC in Charleston.  SO EXCITING!!!  Anita and her quilters made this possible and we are so very grateful!!!  Anita is truly the most selfless and thoughtful person I have had the pleasure to know and I am so very thankful that she found our group and continues to be a part of it!

Check out the beautiful work of this group on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/binkypatrolsc/  or look to the right of this blog at the Flickr Badge and you can watch them flow through.  What a wonderful blessing for the BPSC and all of the NICUs that will be served!  Thank you Anita and friends!!!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.....

It's that time of year again when our minds run to ideas for gifts, goodies, baking and more.  What a wonderful time it is for most of us!  We have so much to enjoy and be thankful for.  Even if you don't have lots of money, if you have a warm clean place to live and food on your table and close family and friends to enjoy it with, you are rich beyond measure.

For many this time of year is not so joyful and it becomes a reminder of just how bad things are.  This is where we come in - it only takes a short amount of time to make a hat or scarf, donate an old coat, go through your children's outgrown clothing and donate what they no longer use.  Most of us have tight budgets right now, but it does not have to be expensive to help out.  So much can be done just by recycling what you have.  Did you know that clean t-shirts in good condition can be made into many wonderful things -- from quilts to knit scarves and so much more.  Most every part of the shirts can be put to good use.  Clean out your old yarn or fabric - so much can be done with these items that may just be taking up space.

Take a minute and think about what you and your family can do to help and give back a little.  It is a wonderful thing to teach young children.  Email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com and we can help you come up with ideas and supplies - there is much to do and it takes lots of hands!  You will be so glad you took the time to help.

Clean Sheets ......Ah........

I don't know why but I have always absolutely loved clean sheets!  No matter how tired I am or what else I have to do, I will do all that I can to muster up the energy to put a clean set of sheets on our bed at the end of each week.  Only thing better is a hot bath, clean jammies along with the clean sheets.  Now that is such a simple pleasure......but is it?

Many children will go to bed tonight some place cold and dirty, with no one to read a bedtime story, no clean jammies and surely no hot bath.  All over this country, many right here in our own state, are homeless and they sleep in cars, travel from shelter to shelter, live in tents, live in poorly heated homes or ones with no heat.  They can't remember or have never known what a sweet pleasure it is to have a clean bed to climb into after a long day.  Homeless children come in all sizes, shapes and colors and from all sorts of backgrounds.  Especially in the time we are now living in, this has become part of our culture.  So much so that we expect it and we all tend to overlook the homeless and move on with our lives.

This holiday season this will be our focus.  We are working on personal care bags for shelters as well as toys and items for gifts and as always we need blankets, pillow cases, hats and more.  Please consider getting involved - if not with our group, then find one you feel comfortable with and chip in.  As I have mentioned many times, the gain is so much more than what you give.  It is priceless and if you have a clean warm place to sleep consider yourself very fortunate and help someone else who may not.....email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com.

Hats........We need Hats.......

If you are like me and have trouble with larger projects like blankets and quilts, then we have the project for you.  Many may not be aware, but we are always in need of hats!  Newborns and preemies use them year round and particularly this time of year we need them for all ages.  There are tons of patterns for knitting, crocheting, or sewing hats and we have lots of free use ones.  If you would like to have a free pattern, just let us know and what type you would like to try.  Email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com for more information. 

Also, please remember that we are not looking for perfection!  Anything you create will be greatly appreciated and believe me, we all make mistakes and that's okay - it just shows that your items are handmade with love and caring.  Here are some of the little pumpkin hats that I have been knitting for the preemies.  This pattern is lots of fun and easy but these are far from perfect.  They will keep a baby just as warm and will be appreciated just the same!! 

We are also in need of preemie size blankets for fall and Christmas.  The hospitals decorate the NICU's with these and it helps make it a little brighter for parents of a preemie.  The only requirements are that they be at least 20 X 20, soft and clean and they can be knit, crochet, sewn, quilted - any type is just fine.  Let us know if you need more information or are interested in helping out.  We need to have the Fall/Halloween blankets in by October 10th and Christmas ones by December 10th.


Of course, we are very happy to have any kind or type of blankets all through the year as we send them to groups who serve children from birth to young adult.  More information about the groups we provide to is located on our web site at www.bpsc.co - take a minute and visit and learn more about the Binky Patrol South Carolina!

Fall is in the Air.......

I just love Fall and this year I have been looking so forward to it.  It will be so nice to have crisp cool evenings, no humidity and the beautiful golden and red leaves that we enjoy here in South Carolina.  Unfortunately, soon after will follow the cold months of the winter and we will need to get busy preparing for the many shelters that will be filled to the brim as the homeless seek to find comfort and warmth during the cold months.  Many babies and children are included in these numbers and it takes a great effort to keep them warm and safe.

We are very fortunate that we have had many wonderful donations this year and we have donated more than 190 items so far in 2011.  This is almost double what we did all of 2010.  We hope to continue to grow and increase what we are able to put out into our community. 

We are also celebrating the birth of the twins that we took on as a project this year.  How exciting and wonderful - I have 4 boys myself but I have to admit that I have been in such awe of this family.  These two little distinctly different human beings have come into this world at the same time - so healthy and full of life and it is truly a miracle!!  They have 8 children between them, including the twins.  They are such a beautiful blended family!  We are still working on items for them because it is very costly to take care of multiples.

We have lots of projects for fall and winter so let us know if you would like to get involved.  We can always use another set of hands!  Email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com  or visit our site at www.bpsc.co!

One of Our Favorite Projects......

While the Binky Patrol SC is all about helping children in need, we do on occasion, have the opportunity to provide items for a happy situation.  Our twin project has been just that and has brought so much more joy than we could possibly provide.  A few weeks ago, I was privileged to attend the baby shower for this young mother.  The couple has six (6) - yes I said 6 children between them and with the birth of the twins they will have 8!  Yep - I said 8 kids.  But --- they handle this with grace and joy and the family is a pleasure to spend time with.  I feel so thankful to have met them.  They are hard working people who take excellent care of their children and are very excited to welcome their two new boys.  They are already named and have been for some time - Caleb and Griffin - family names.  There are so many people who are anticipating this birth and these babies will be welcomed with much love and affection.  But - we all know the stress of multiple births, the work, the cost, and so much more.  So -- this is why we get involved where we can.  This is a joyous project and one we dearly love!

Helping with happy occasions such as this makes what we do all the more rewarding and brings us much more than what we offer.  If you would like to help, email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com or visit our web site at www.bpsc.co.

We are ready for Fall and Winter!!!

Karen Johnson Designs Donation

We were so fortunate to receive a fabulous fabric donation last week from Karen Johnson Designs here in Columbia!  This is just one picture of the wonderful colorful awesome fabrics donated by Karen.  She is a local sewing instructor and these beautiful pieces were from a fabric shop she used to own.  When I look at these I see blankets, applique, bibs, clothing, pillow cases and more!  This donation has given us just the boost we needed to start preparing for the winter ahead.  Karen - I can't thank you enough.  This colorful array of fabrics not only supplies us but it inspires us to create in every way possible.  Please watch our Flickr photo stream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/binkypatrolsc/ and follow these donations as they "become" as in the Velveteen Rabbit - they will become favorite loved items by children all over our state and more!  Let us know if you want to get involved - email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com or visit our web site at www.bpsc.co.

Wonderful Thank you......

Daybreak Crisis Pregnancy Center

We received the most wonderful Thank-you email from the Daybreak Crisis Pregnancy Center last week.  It is always wonderful to know that items we send are received and useful.  Daybreak is one of our newer recipients and we are so happy to be working with them to help them help young mothers-to-be in crisis.  This mission is very important to us as is everything we do.

Helping children in need is very simple and there is a program or group for every talent and desire.  A list of our recipient groups is located on our web page at www.bpsc.co as well as popular patterns and projects we work on.  But, if you have something that is a special talent or idea that you would like to provide, please do let us know.  We are always open to new ways to provide items for our kids.  Our ultimate goal is to help each other do the things we love to do and use those gifts to help babies and children in need.  We aren't worried about perfection - just creating from the heart.

If you would like to get involved or know of a need in our area, please contact us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com. 

We may be quiet......but we are still here.....

While I have been a little under the weather the last couple of months, our little group has continued to be very busy and we have received so many wonderful contributions!  I am so very thankful for each and everyone who takes the time to create, pack up and deliver the beautiful treasures we receive.  The best part of what we do is getting them out to those who need these caring gifts.  Our members are what keep this chapter afloat and we so appreciate all that you do!!


We have new pictures of most of what we have received during the last couple of months - still have a few more things to add.  Check them out when you get a minute - you will be impressed by the talents and generosity of those who support the BPSC!  Our photo album is located here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/binkypatrolsc/.  So many ideas, colors and imagination that come together to make the children feel loved and special.

We will be sending out our first package to the Daybreak Crisis Pregnancy Center here in Columbia.  This is a wonderful organization to assist young women with unplanned pregnancy.  The items we send are used as incentives and care packages.  Thanks so much to Andrea for suggesting we contact this group.

We also finally have a good supply of boy blankets which will allow us to send a package to The Boys Home in SC.  This is very exciting and we can't wait to get them off in the mail.

The most important thing we can express here is there is no donation that is too small, one pair of socks, one new toothbrush, fabric, anything you feel would be useful, will be put to work.  There is no need for perfection - most of the items I create have mistakes but I know in my heart that the recipient will know the gift was made in love and just for them.  Email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com if you would like to join us in creating comfort for children in need.

Still Pluggin Along......

Even though the warmer weather has arrived - especially here in the southern states, we are still working hard on binkies and more.  There is always a need for the many items that we collect - year round and children in need have no season.  For many kids, a blanket is so much more than warmth - it is a possession that gives them peace and security and allows them to feel love - even when they are sick or hurt and in need.  Lovies are also necessary items for survival and a friend when a child is lonely and afraid.

We also have many areas in crisis right now due to recent weather events and many of the children in these areas have nothing left from their homes.  A lovie or soft blanket can go a long way in giving them back a little bit of love and security.  We also collect baby items - there are always babies in need and mothers who can't provide everything they need to.  June is our Virtual Baby Shower month and we will be collecting baby items to send to moms-to-be in need to help them give their new babies a great start in life.

Please check out our calendar on our site at www.scbinkypatrol.com and keep up with opportunities to get involved.  You can also email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com  and let us know you would like to be on our email list.  We also have a new shorter link to our site - www.BPSC.co.  This is a quick way to pass on our link and will get you to the same place as the longer link.  Visit often and find out what we are doing - we make comforting covers and more for kids in need ~ it's just that simple!  Remember --- items can be dropped off at the Creative Sewing Machine Center in West Columbia - don't miss a chance to visit this wonderland!!

In Tee Shirt Heaven......

Ok - this is just one picture of the t-shirts we received last week from Ingersoll Rand!  Just leave it to say they are in abundance.  Our job now is to turn these beauties in useful quilts and it seems that I can't think about anything else.  I am jazzzed to say the least and I know wonderful things are going to come from this stash.  We will post pictures as we go and let you know what we are doing.  Beth Holland with Ingersoll Rand thought of this idea and then contacted us about making the quilts.  We have a video posted here on the blog left side which is a commercial she created about collecting the shirts.  I also received an email from her on Friday and she has more on the way.  Unbelievable - to think that so many would get on board to help with this project.  We are also working on ideas to use up every square of fabric from the shirts for bags for the homeless, stuffing for toys and more.  Stay tuned as we work on this.

I know this is exciting because my hubby Greg - who normally does all the management stuff and running, delivering, picking up, post office, etc., actually is so interested in this project that he researched ways of cutting the shirts and actually went INSIDE the Joann's with me to talk to them about rotary cutters.  Believe me when I say this never happens......and he is really getting involved with every aspect.  So much fun!!!

So - if tees are your thing, let us know if you would like to help - we will send you a package and all you will need to do is sew together and return to us.  If you use any materials of your own, we can send you a tax deductible receipt.  Say something with your time and tees - there will be many warm and comforted kids and more from this project!  Thank you so much Beth!!!  This is what we aim to come up with on the right - or something close and lots of them.  :o) Join us if you can - email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com.