September ~ Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

During the month of September we would like to honor one of our favorite little people.  Richard Culliver was a brave young man who battled brain cancer with a love of life and enthusiasm seldom seen.  He passed from this world last month and in memory and honor of him, the Binky Patrol (SC) will send all of our blankies (with the exception of Preemies) to Palmetto Children's Hospital for the month of September.  This is Richard pictured here with his best friend Smitty and one of the tied fleece blankets make by one of our wonderful volunteers.

If you would like to help with this project, please email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com.  These blankets can be any size larger than 24 X 24 and can be knitted, crocheted, sewn or tied fleece.  Anything goes as long as they are safe.  The simple two sided blankets sewn together pillow case style are also excellent.  Pillow cases are another excellent project for the hospital and can really brighten a child's room.

Also - a reminder that Fall is around the corner and then winter.  Please consider sending in items to help local shelters keep the kids warm - together we can make a difference.

As always, we are so very grateful to all of the wonderful volunteers who keep us going.  Without you, there would be no Binky Patrol SC and each and every item donated makes a difference in a child's life.  We love you for all you do!!!

Midlands Baby, Kids & Family Espo 2014

We have been invited to participate!  We hope to see you there!!

May is Mental Health Month....What can WE Do????

Most of us don't like to think about mental illness and the fact that it effects children in many ways.  Children of mental health patients as well as kids who suffer from a mental illness themselves are in great need.  This month we want to bring more attention to these issues and ask everyone to think of something each of us can do to make a difference.  A small ripple in a good direction can make huge passages and make a difference to a child in need.  Here are a few suggestions:

• Support mental health groups locally such as NAMI ~ National Alliance on Mental Illness.
• Remind others to help spread awareness on social media
• Consider making a donation of a blankets or other items to the Binky Patrol earmarked for a shelter - many children are there because of a parent's mental illness.
• Contact us to find out ways you can become involved - you don't need to be able to sew or craft.  There are may ways to help and make a difference.  Lots of hands are needed to make what we do possible.
• Look into wish lists for area mental health assistance programs for children.  One excellent local non-profit doing remarkable things for children is the Dickerson Center in West Columbia.  There are many more out there.  Google for more information on those closest to you.  

There is much we can do and we can all make a difference.  Email us if you want to get involved - binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com.  We can do it without your help.

March ~ Time for Thoughs of Spring...

Our crazy winter is finally creeping to a close and we have been pretty busy for the first couple of months of 2014!  This one will definitely go down in history.

We are now getting ready for Spring and just because it gets warmer here in SC, it doesn't mean we don't need blankets, hats and more!  There is always a need - all year round!

Our Headstart Project is in full swing and the first batch of blankets will be delivered this week.  Thank you so very much to Kim and Taylor Rae for completing these.  This video shows the wonderful work they did. This box will go to Maddie's class - her Mom Jule contacted us and got this project started.  We are so proud and excited to be a part of this and we hope to get them all completed and delivered before school gets out this year.  You may have noticed the sweet little scarves that were included - Kim made these from the leftover pieces of fabric - Awesome!  These will be dropped off at Transitions this week too.  More pictures to come as we progress! 

We received a wonderful box packed full of sweet soft blankets and colorful hats from Kathie and Katie.  They are just so adorable and will be going out to Daybreak Pregnancy Crisis Center here in Columbia this week.  We are working on pictures of these as well.

A bag full of preemie fleece blankets was left for us last month also and we are so very thankful for these!  They will be sent to Palmetto Health Richland NICU as soon as we can get them delivered.

Please let us know if you would like to get involved in all the fun.  It is really so rewarding and there are many ways to help.  You don't have to know how to sew, knit or crochet - we have other things that you can do.  Just email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com.  We would love to hear from you!

February is Here Again.....

Time sure flies when you are having fun and we definitely do at BPSC!!  Last year was a good one for us and we received so many wonderful donations.  We have also been fortunate enough to gain a sister chapter in the lower part of the state.  Please check out their info below - Melinda King is the Coordinator.  We are so very thankful to have them aboard and we can sure use more hands in SC!!

For the next few months we will be concentrating on a new project and we could sure use more hands to meet our goals.  We will be providing blankets to the Head Start program here in Columbia.  There are approximately 140 children in this center and we would like to send enough for one class at a time until all of the classes have received a blanket.  Each class includes about 20 children.

Now - to make these blankets as similar as possible, we are going to ask that they be fabric and sewn.  Normally we don't make specific requests but in this case we believe it is the best so that the children will all have the same basic blanket.  We would like for them to be one yard, two layers with no batting and be sewn together in pillow case fashion.  They can be tied or quilted/sewn to keep the layers in place.  If you are interested, please email us at binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com.  We are very excited about this project and hope you will be too.  I will send more detailed instructions to anyone who would like them.  I will also post pictures as the blankets arrive.  Please think about helping with this project - these are very quick to make and will be greatly appreciated.

Today was a big delivery day for us.  Greg delivered to Palmetto Richland NICU, Daybreak Pregnancy Crisis Center and Transitions in Columbia.  Below are a couple of pics of some of the items.  Thank you so very much to all who helped to make this possible!!  We so appreciate you all.

There is lots to do - let us know if you are interested.  You don't have to be able to sew, knit or crochet to get involved!!

Columbia/West Columbia/Midlands Area:  
Greg & Lynne Lee - Area Coordinators 
binkypatrolsc@sc.rr.com

Horry County/North Charleston Area
Melinda King
melinda.king36@gmail.com