After the success of their first Bink-a-thon on October 28, 2023, with the partnership of the MrBallen Foundation, the Lexington/Woodbridge Binky Patrol chapter decided to once again team up with the Loudoun County Public Library-Cascades location to host another Bink-a-thon on January 20, 2024. Local Chapter Coordinator Caitlin Peterson-Woolard worked closely with Kate Kraehenbuehl, Adult Services Librarian for the Loudoun County Public Library-Cascades location, and Jill Weiss, Program Director of the Claude Moore Community Builders for Loudoun Youth, Inc., to organize, plan, and get material ready for the event months ahead of time, including offering teen volunteers a separate opportunity to help prep blankets before the event.
Through the collaboration of these three local organizations, the Winter Bink-a-thon held on January 20, 2024, was a rousing success for all involved, with over 55 volunteers participating in the event and making over 228 items by hand during the Bink-a-thon, including 150 fleece-no-sew blankets and several crocheted blankets. Several volunteers learned new skills at the event, such as learning how to crochet toys and sewing by hand to make “Binky Bags,” cloth drawstring backs created by the chapter to fill with donated toiletries and donate to those in need such as disaster relief and local homeless populations.
Overall, the event attracted many youth and their families interested in giving back to their community, with many eager to participate in more events.
The Lexington/Woodbridge Binky Patrol chapter is very happy with the results as well and has promised to continue to hold more Bink-a-thons with these and other community partners in the future to continue to assist those in need of a helping hand.
