All Volunteer, All Heart from Binky Patrol – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In this practical solo episode, discover how you can meaningfully support your favorite causes without leaving home. Learn why sharing nonprofit content on social media isn't "slacktivism"—it's a powerful tool that expands reach, attracts donors, and recruits volunteers.

Get actionable tips for amplifying the missions you care about, all from the comfort of your couch, possibly while wearing your favorite pajamas. Because making a difference doesn't always require leaving the house.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/binkypatrol

https://twitter.com/binkypatrol

https://instagram.com/binkypatrol

This week's episode started with technical difficulties but ended with a powerful message about community support during difficult times. When a grieving grandmother in our sewing group asked if she could skip painful ornament memories with a pink Christmas tree, we didn't just give permission - we gave her new ornaments handmade with love. Kind of a binky for this grandma - just different shapes. Stll a reminder that we care.

As we enter December and Binky Patrol's 30th year, I'm challenging you to find your own way to make a difference. Whether it's supporting neighbors during government shutdowns, turning family gift exchanges into charity donations, or organizing blanket-making gatherings, there's always a way to help.

Part 2 of the Joann Panic: Finding Affordable Fleece Alternatives

Now that we know ALL Joann Fabrics are closing don’t worry—you still have great options for buying fleece at great prices with a little planning! Here are a few trusted sources that can help you continue making blankets for those in need. Thank you to Cheryl Bean TX, Marlys Vaughan, MS, and Jeanne Malgioglio, CT for these resources.

✅ Special Discount for Binky Patrol! 1️⃣ Create an account at YOURFLEECE.com. This allows us to see what's in your cart. 2️⃣ Email us once your account is set up, and we’ll have a discount code created for you. 3️⃣ You can then check out with your special pricing!

💰 Pricing:

• Prints: $5.25/yd (originally $6.99-$7.99)
• Shipping Example:
  • 50 yards x $5.25 = $262.50
  • Shipping = $47.07
  • Total: $309.57

Don't forget to mention Binky Patrol when reaching out! Email: customerhelp@yourfleece.com

Pico Textiles is offering bulk discounts on fleece, and they say their quality is comparable—or better—than Joann’s!

💰 Pricing:

• Prints: $6.95/yd
• Solids: $5.95/yd

📦 Bulk Order Details:

• Order 15-20 yards per print
• Place orders a few weeks in advance
• Free shipping!

Check out available prints here: Pico Textiles Fleece.

They have a selection of fleece at competitive prices! Browse their selection: Marshall Dry Goods Fleece.

With a little extra planning, you can still get high-quality fleece at great prices—even without Joann Fabrics! 🧵💙

#BinkyPatrol #FleeceAlternatives #fleeceblankets #KeepCrafting

We are always trying to help our volunteers with resources. Many of you are losing your Joann Fabric stores. Some entire states are losing all stores. They are open online, but we at Binky Patrol have had ISSUES with big orders online. Here are some options. A fantastic one came in from Stan at Fleece-fabric.com.  More details in this short episode.

He says, "For our printed and solid double-brushed fleece, we will be able to ship bolts of 22 yards each for $5.76/yd with free shipping to the continental US. There is a minimum order of 2 bolts. To get this price, your volunteers should enter the coupon code BINKY2025."

Here are the links to his site:

https://www.fleece-fabric.com/categories.php?cat=3 https://www.fleece-fabric.com/products.php?cat=25

Today we're talking with data science manager Gaurav Mittal about how tech professionals can transform nonprofits by volunteering their skills. While many organizations struggle with limited budgets and technical resources, professionals like Gaurav are showing how a few hours of volunteered expertise in data analysis, automation, or system design can help nonprofits dramatically scale their impact. Whether it's creating dashboards to better understand donor patterns, building tools to streamline operations, or developing solutions that help organizations tell their story through data, tech volunteers are helping nonprofits serve more people in need while working remotely on their own schedule. This conversation reveals how accessible and rewarding it can be to give back using the professional skills you already have.

"Any skill, whatever you have, please come forward, volunteer, and you will yourself see like you are making a huge impact." [25:20]

"You have to just give few hours, but it's going a long, long way." [24:30]

• Visit Catchafire.org, and volunteermatch.org to find remote tech volunteer opportunities that match your skills
• Start small - even a few hours of your technical expertise can have huge impact for nonprofits
• When volunteering:

1. Focus on creating scalable, sustainable solutions
2. Use open-source tools nonprofits can maintain without additional cost or restrictions
3. Think about what happens after you leave
4. Build automated solutions where possible
5. Keep future volunteers in mind since there is usually high-turnover in all volunteer positions.

ABOUT GAURAV MITTAL:

Gaurav Mittal is a seasoned IT Manager , adept at guiding teams in developing and deploying cutting-edge technology solutions. His achievements include substantial cost savings through innovative solutions and enhancing operational efficiency. Gaurav is recognized for his leadership, problem-solving abilities, and commitment to delivering exceptional IT services aligned with organizational goals. He's published several peer-reviewed articles, spoken at international conferences, and served on multiple judging panels. His contributions extend to volunteer work with non-profits and maintaining strong academic credentials, including an MBA and various technical certifications.

Links from this episode:

https://volunteermatch.org 

https://mentormentee.com/ 

https://www.catchafire.org/profiles/2923366/about

https://x.com/GauravM85

https://binkypatrol.org/ways-to-help/ 

In this week's episode of All-Volunteer, All Heart, we're tackling a critical but often overlooked aspect of running a non-profit: managing your tech stack and subscriptions. Did you know the average non-profit wastes between $1,000-3,000 annually on unused or redundant digital tools? We'll walk through a practical audit system to help you identify what you actually need, what you're paying for but not using, and where you might be missing out on free non-profit resources. Whether you're running a small volunteer organization or managing a growing charity, these tips will help you redirect more funds to your mission instead of unnecessary tech expenses.

You may also find these episodes helpful:

AI Risk Management: A CMO's Guide to Tool Selection and Governance

EP105: Part 2 - Adopting AI Safely & Strategically

In 2012, just two days before her 16th birthday, Sunnie Carney lost her father to homicide. Through her personal journey of grief, mental health struggles, and ultimately healing, she discovered a critical gap in support services - one that affected countless children in similar situations. This revelation led her to found Children of Homicide Victims (COHV) in Kansas City, an organization dedicated to restoring hope, love, and faith to children who have lost parents to violence.

COHV serves children from infancy through age 17, with a particular focus on ages 8-16 - a developmental period already complicated by natural growth and change. These children often face misdiagnosis in school settings, where their trauma responses are mistaken for behavioral disorders. Through COHV's comprehensive support system, they receive academic assistance, mental health resources, and perhaps most importantly, a community of others who truly understand their experience.

What sets COHV apart is its team - 75% of staff members are themselves children of homicide victims. This shared experience creates an authentic connection with the children they serve, showing them living proof that their circumstances don't define their future. The organization's name, abbreviated as COVE, reflects its mission to be a protected harbor for these young souls navigating unimaginable loss.

In this powerful conversation, Sunnie shares success stories of transformation, discusses the unique challenges faced by grandparents suddenly thrust into primary caregiver roles, and explains how COHV is working to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma. Her work reminds us that while we cannot prevent every tragedy, we can create communities of support that help children not just survive their loss, but emerge as future leaders and agents of positive change.

About Sunnie Carney:

Founder, Executive Director

Sunnie was born and raised in Kansas City, MO. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2017, where she was awarded a bachelor's degree in Communications, and she is currently attending the University of Missouri-St. Louis to obtain her Masters degree in Education. Sunnie has a huge heart for children. She identifies as a child of a homicide victim. Aside from COHV, she is also a member at The Refuge KC, the Youth Director of Refuge Little League Youth Ministry. Sunnie's goal is to be the voice and the light that leads people to change and the help that transforms a wounded child's heart and mind. 

Links from this episode:

• https://www.cohvkc.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/cohvkc
• https://www.facebook.com/cohvkc
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunnie-carney-700779183/ 

In this segment from a recent Binky Patrol meeting, Area Coordinators who participated in the MrBallen Bink-a-Thon event share strategies for volunteer recruitment. Caitlin Peterson-Woolard discusses challenges with community outreach, while experienced coordinators Susan Finch, Terrie Madruga, Kathy Taylor, and Jeanne Malgioglio offer proven solutions including:

• Leveraging church bulletins and service organizations
• Engaging high school sports teams and clubs
• Utilizing corporate volunteer programs
• Maintaining relationships with past volunteers
• Strategic use of social media and local publications

The discussion highlights immediate tactics and long-term relationship-building for expanding their volunteer base. We hope you find it helpful! So many ideas that only take a bit of time and digging for the best contacts.

In this first episode of our special two-part series, we're taking you inside our nationwide Bink-A-Thon debrief meeting, where chapter coordinators share their heartwarming stories from this year's MrBallen Foundation event. From Meridian, Idaho to Connecticut, from Southern California to Virginia, our volunteers united in their mission to create comfort one blanket at a time.

Join Susan Finch and chapter leaders, including Kathy Taylor from Irvine/Orange County, whose partnership with Girl Scouts doubled their volunteer turnout; Jeanne Malgioglio from Connecticut, whose team completed 145 blankets for Al's Angels and the Center for Family Justice; Director Terrie Madruga, who launched a new chapter in Meridian, ID with patriotic scarves for veterans; and Caitlin Peterson-Woolard from Woodbridge/Lexington, whose Girl Scout volunteers showed incredible enthusiasm, completing 15 blankets in just 30 minutes plus the 150 made the by the rest of the group. These stories showcase the power of community service and the impact of dedicated volunteers nationwide.

Learn more about Bink-A-Thons here.

Connect with the chapters featured in this episode here:

Jeanne Malgioglio - Monroe/Trumbull, CT

Caitlin Peterson - Lexington, VA

Terrie Madruga - Meridian, ID

Kathy Taylor - Irvine, CA

Susan Finch - Beaverton, OR

Thank you to the MrBallen Foundation for sponsoring this event!

In this episode, we're joined by Keri Banghart from Microsoft's Corporate, External and Legal Affairs team in Seattle. Keri recently organized a blanket-making event for her team as part of Microsoft's annual giving campaign. We'll discuss how they set up the event, its impact on local and remote team members, and the creative ways they're supporting their community. Keri shares insights on coordinating volunteer efforts in a large corporation and how these initiatives foster team bonding while making a difference. We'll also explore the power of hands-on volunteering and its ripple effect in raising awareness for local needs. Join us for an inspiring conversation about corporate giving, community impact, and the joy of creating comfort for those in need.

Action Item List: Lot of ideas here - https://binkypatrol.org/ways-to-help/

1. Organize a blanket-making event for your team or company
2. Research local shelters or organizations in need of blanket donations
3. Set up remote participation options for team members who can't attend in person
4. Prepare materials in advance (e.g., pre-cut fabric) to streamline the event
5. Track volunteer hours and utilize company matching programs for donations
6. Take photos of the event and completed blankets for sharing and promotion
7. Consider partnering with other organizations or nonprofits for larger events
8. Explore options for regular or annual volunteering events
9. Involve family members and friends in blanket-making activities
10. Share your experience with other departments or companies to inspire similar initiatives

#MicrosoftGives #MicrosoftVolunteers #MicrosoftCommunity #TechForGood #MicrosoftCSR #CorporateGiving #VolunteerEngagement #RemoteVolunteering #CommunityImpact #TeamBuildingForGood