Southwest Ohio chapter
WEST CHESTER, Ohio — Kimberly Renner knows there are thousands of kids throughout southwest Ohio who could use a hug.
But Renner also knows she can’t literally hug them all. That’s why she became the area coordinator for Binky Patrol.
The Oregon-based nonprofit organization gives homemade blankets to kids in need, ensuring that each child has a gift made with love that represents a hug..
“In the southwest Ohio chapter, we are targeting kids who are in foster care, kids who are in homeless shelters, any kind of trauma a child might have,” said Renner, who lives in West Chester. “It’s just a great big hug for a child.”.
Renner started the local Binky Patrol chapter Aug. 24 and has made or gathered about 100 blankets so far, she said. The chapter’s first donation went to Hope House Mission, a faith-based ministry that serves homeless men, women and children in Middletown.
Renner is preparing donations for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s residential treatment facility and for Bethany House Services, she said, along with a lengthy list of other local organizations eager to receive blankets.
“Some of the children and youth in our program come to us with every possession they own in one or two bags,” said Steve Nauman, director of Cincinnati Children’s residential program. “Few have things that have been created by someone else that is the children or youth’s alone. It sends a very strong message to the child or youth that someone cares enough to make a blanket for them.”
