Chapter established June 2, 2005
Salem, MA & Virtual Binky Patrol Chapter
Delivering Binkies throughout New England.
Marlys Vaughan, Area Coordinator
Cell Phone: 603-799-1127
A huge thank you to two of my long-time volunteers, Dawn and Beth who have worked tirelessly since November 2019 to help coordinate and receive donations, organize and run Bink-A-Thons, work with individual volunteers and they have delivered over 300 blankets since December 2019.
In November 2019 I ended up in the hospital with a severe back injury. Dawn called me and said "How can we help." She and her husband picked up all of the blankets that had recently been donated and were at my house. She and Beth worked tirelessly sewing labels on the blankets, sorting and bagging the blankets. They reached out to several agencies and scheduled deliveries. Before Christmas they had delivered over 200 blankets. Since January they have coordinated BATs and worked with several volunteers providing pre-cut fleece, organized several cutting/prep sessions and then received the finished blankets. They once again sewed labels, sorted, bagged and delivered over 100 blankets and they are still receiving blanket donations as I write this. Without their help I would have had to suspend operations for the chapter but thanks to their efforts, the Salem, MA/Virtual chapter is staying busy as always! It takes a village.
A huge Thank You to the following volunteer blanket makers:
- Dawn S., Reading, MA
- Beth, H. Haverhill, MA
- Caring Hearts Prayer Shawl Ministry, Ashburnham, MA
- Crafters with a Cause, Rutland, VT
- Phillips Academy, Andover, MA and the non-sibi weekend volunteers!
- Jonathan N., Windsor, NH
- Donna, Amanda & Family, Woburn, MA
- The members of St. Alphonsus Parish, VT
- St. Denis Prayer Shawl Ministries
- Ashley G.
- Shane P.
- Kelly F.
- Olivia
- The Ipswich Council on Aging volunteers
A special Thank You to my mom, Janet, who tirelessly sews labels on the fleece binkies and helps deliver the blankets, hats, mittens, shawls and scarves received here at the chapter! I couldn't do what I do without her help and support.
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March 28, 2018: Sadly Donna lost her mother to a long illness. While at her bedside at the hospital, Donna spent many many hours, and while there picked up her crochet hook and made blankets. Her daughter soon got involved as well as other family members. Donna made a huge donation of 108 Binkies in March 2017 on what would have been her mother's birthday. Donna and her daughter have decided to make this an annual event in honor of her mother.
This year, Donna and Amanda have done it again! Thank you so much for your wonderful donation of 57 Binkies and 8 stuffed animals! Your tireless efforts are so appreciated!
In April 2017 we had another wonderful BAT when we partnered again with Philips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. The volunteers were amazing and in just over an hour they tied 37 fleece blankets! We have already marked our calendars for next year's event!
With the April 2018 B-A-T in mind, if anyone is interested in donating FLEECE for the event, we would welcome any donations or gift cards to JoAnn Fabrics where we could purchase the fleece. Our chapters rely on donations in kind to make the blankets, so any help is greatly appreciated!
