Best Binky Podcasts (2024)

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EP71: Nationwide Bink-A-Thon 2024: Stories from the Front Lines 31:50

6d ago31:50

31:50

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 …

1
EP70: Microsoft Stitching Together Corporate Giving and Community Care 19:27

14d ago19:27

19:27

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 supporti…

1
EP69: Mr. Karl Update - Fleece EVERYWHERE! 8:19

24d ago8:19

8:19

We had talked about the man who lost his wife in the Temecula area. It was a funny tale about golfing, hobbies, and fabric. But it has turned into a beautiful relationship and legacy. Temecula Area Coordinator, Kimberly Legg joins Susan to give an update about their chapter's newest volunteer and patron, Mr. Karl. Let's just say the Temecula chapte…

1
EP68: Three Ways to Change Many Lives 3:36

1M ago3:36

3:36

Today is a short episode requesting you consider these requests: Consider starting a local chapter - 2 - 100 people! Great way to build community and make friends. (info here) Make binkies, aka blankets. We can send you the labels. (info here) Host a Bink-A-Thon at your company or in your community - we'll give you all the stuff you need. (what's a…

1
EP67: Happy Pucks, Going Dark, and Growth 25:49

2M ago25:49

25:49

Today we're catching up with Russ Cassavah, founder and president of Little Bricks Charity. It's been over a year since we last spoke with Russ, and the changes in his organization are remarkable. In this episode, Russ shares how Little Bricks Charity has transformed its approach to helping hospitalized children. We'll hear about their innovative l…

1
EP66: Community Service Tied Blankets - Let's do better! 8:04

2M ago8:04

8:04

In this episode, Binky Patrol founder Susan Finch delivers a candid and passionate message about the importance of quality in our mission to comfort children through handmade blankets. Susan's 'tough love' approach tackles a growing concern: the influx of hastily-made fleece blankets that don't quite meet the mark. Get ready for a mix of hands-on t…

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EP65: Revenge Hobby Turned Legacy Gift - A lot of fabric for Temecula! 9:53

3M ago9:53

9:53

In this episode, we join Susan Finch as she chats with Kimberly Legg, who runs the Temecula chapter in California. Prepare for a story that's hilarious and inspiring, as Kimberly recounts how she unexpectedly became the recipient of a truly massive fabric donation - we're talking about $30,000 worth of material! How did this fabric bonanza come abo…

1
EP64: Finding Your Third Space at Quilting for Community 27:27

4M ago27:27

27:27

Our topic today is Quilting for Community: From Grief to Nonprofit Success with guest Lizz Leral, Executive Director of Quilting for Community. She shares how personal loss sparked a quilting journey that grew into a thriving nonprofit. You'll hear her story and ideas about: Transforming personal healing into community service Building an intergene…

1
EP63 Hugs, Healing, and Hope: ELF's Vision for Children's Emotional Well-being 30:15

4M ago30:15

30:15

Susan Finch of Binky Patrol interviews Mara James, founder and CEO of the Extraordinary Lives Foundation (ELF). Listeners will learn about ELF's mission to improve children's mental health and emotional wellness through programs like Piggie Bear and the HUGS School Life Healing Center. Mara shares her personal journey of overcoming mental health ch…

1
EP62: Where are your volunteers hiding? 9:34

5M ago9:34

9:34

There are many ways to list your volunteer opportunities. This short episode goes over some of our favorite volunteer and matching fund portals. They include: volunteermatch.org, benevity.com, and joindeed.org. Tips include: Have a checkbox that they agree to have their photos taken and used for your site and social media accounts Link to a form if…

1
EP61: Why You Need a Branding Guide for Your Organization 15:24

5M ago15:24

15:24

Susan Finch, founder of Binky Patrol, discusses the importance of having a cohesive branding package for nonprofit organizations looking to scale up. She shares insights from her own experience, highlighting the need for consistent messaging, logos, fonts, and phrasing across all chapters and volunteers. Susan also touches on the benefits of stream…

1
EP60: A Dream to Bring Quilting to All Ages to Build Community 17:50

5M ago17:50

17:50

In the second half of the conversation, Fran Morgan and Donna Robertson from Fabric Cafe share their passion for quilting and discuss the importance of passing down the love for sewing to younger generations. Fran expresses her wish to continue producing excellent books and patterns while expanding their reach to younger quilters, ensuring the craf…

1
EP59: Simple, Fast, and Fun: Fabric Cafe's Mission to Make Quilting Accessible to Everyone 29:52

6M ago29:52

29:52

In this heartwarming episode of All Volunteer, All Heart from Binky Patrol, host Susan Finch sits down with the dynamic duo behind Fabric Cafe, Fran Morgan and Donna Robertson. Discover how their passion for quilting led them to leave corporate America and build a thriving business that inspires creativity and joy in the quilting community. Explore…

1
EP58: Community Grants - It can't hurt to apply. 6:18

6M ago6:18

6:18

Jeanne Malgioglio, teacher, Area Coordinator for the Monroe-Trumbull, CT chapter, tells the story of a community grant she received recently. She was a bit intimidated but decided to go for it. This will keep her chapter funded for a very long time and allow her to continue helping other local agencies through the gifts of binkies. Join us for this…

1
EP57: The Power of Collaboration: Amplifying Nonprofit Missions 27:22

7M ago27:22

27:22

In this episode of All Volunteer All Heart from Binky Patrol, host Susan Finch welcomes Angie Marie, a community leader from Hood River, Oregon. Angie shares her inspiring story of creating Gorge SpeakEasy, a monthly storytelling event that brings together diverse members of the community while supporting local nonprofits. Through volunteer efforts…

1
EP56: Your Most Value Asset - Time Management & Volunteers 7:07

7M ago7:07

7:07

Volunteer time management is often overlooked as a value, as an asset. But it is the most valuable donation your organization receives. The dollars you receive are precious - are they being used most effectively? Tracking the time your staff and volunteers spend will help you see where you are getting the best outcomes and where you may be spinning…

1
EP55: The Ripple Effect of a Book on Middle School Students 5:38

7M ago5:38

5:38

Jeanne Malgioglio tells us about her outstanding week at her school. Her students were studying the book, "I Will Always Write Back" by authors Caitlin Alfirenka and Martin Ganda, with Liz Welch. It's a story of friendship, being open to new ideas across the globe and choosing to make things better. Jeanne's students embodied this theme by making o…

1
EP54: Protecting Your Non-Profit from Image Copyright Scams 12:23

8M ago12:23

12:23

Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to exploit individuals and organizations. As a nonprofit or small business, staying vigilant and protecting yourself from photo copyright infringement scams is crucial. In this informative PSA episode, Susan Finch from All-Volunteer, All Heart from Binky Patrol shares her recent exp…

1
EP53: Invaluable and FREE Resources for 501C3 Organizations 5:04

8M ago5:04

5:04

Are you running a small non-profit organization and looking for ways to save money and maximize your resources? In this quick podcast episode, Susan Finch, our founder, shares some valuable tips and resources that can help you streamline your operations and promote your cause more effectively. From free email services to volunteer recruitment platf…

1
EP52: Boosting Volunteer Morale: Tips for Thanking and Engaging Your Team 9:00

8M ago9:00

9:00

Today, we're diving into a topic that's close to our hearts: recognizing and appreciating the incredible volunteers who make our mission possible. Our volunteers are the lifeblood of our organizations, tirelessly giving their time, energy, and skills to make a difference in the lives of others. They are the unsung heroes who work behind the scenes,…

1
EP51: Nonprofits Amplify Your Voice Through Toastmasters 22:40

9M ago22:40

22:40

Susan Finch is joined by Coleen Gose, a professional speaker and domestic violence survivor, to explore the power of storytelling for nonprofit leaders. Gose's journey from finding her voice to becoming a professional speaker is inspiring and insightful. The episode delves into the importance of nonprofit leaders honing their speaking skills, the v…

1
EP50: Volunteering Is As Easy As Writing a Thank You Note 6:49

10M ago6:49

6:49

Binky Patrol Director, Terrie Madruga joined Susan to talk about how easy it is to volunteer for Binky Patrol. From sewing on labels to taking phone calls to writing thank you notes. If you want to give us a bit of time, we have ideas to make it easy and fun! Join us for this short episode to support our chapter leaders and spark ideas in your hear…

1
EP49: Building Community Stitch by Loving Stitch 22:16

10M ago22:16

22:16

Looking for ways to build community in your workplace or neighborhood? In this week's fun and uplifting episode, we talk to Rebecca Heinen who used her passion for crocheting to connect with others across 36 states and counting. Rebecca shares how she started "A Stitch in Every State" to donate handmade crochet items to organizations in need and ho…

1
EP48: Upgrading Your Nonprofit Website: An Initial Guide 17:56

10M ago17:56

17:56

Upgrading your nonprofit's online presence can be daunting, especially with limited resources. In this insightful episode, we walk through the initial steps small nonprofits should take when considering revamping their website. Susan shares practical tips on evaluating your current site, defining goals for an upgraded one, estimating costs, and mor…

1
EP47: Sparking Peace By Reimagining Communication in Education 32:17

11M ago32:17

32:17

Susan invited Lori on to the show after the recent Bink-A-Thon in Thousand Oaks. Binky Patrol Director, Carolyn Berndt hosted her event at One Spark Academy and knew Lori has the same heart as Binky Patrol. This inspiring conversation delves into making positive change through education and understanding. Host Susan Finch speaks with Lori Peters, e…

1
EP46: Aaron’s Presents Where Kids Are Changing the World 30:14

12M ago30:14

30:14

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Leah Okimoto, Executive Director of the incredible organization Aaron's Presents. Through Aaron's Presents, kids are empowered to make a positive difference in their communities by pursuing service projects of their own design. From providing reflective vests to peers walking home in the dark, to leading ch…

1
EP45: The Power of Purpose - How to Engage All Ages in Community Service 19:18

1y ago19:18

19:18

Welcome to another episode of Volunteer All Heart from Binky Patrol. I'm your host Susan Finch, and today we have two of our amazing volunteers joining us to share their experiences hosting Bink-A-Thons in their communities. First up is Binky Patrol director, Carolyn Berndt, one of our dedicated volunteers who helped organize a small but mighty Bin…

1
EP44: 1 Day, 7 States, 1400+ Blankets for Kids Who Matter! 30:10

1y ago30:10

30:10

October 28 seven states coordinated a national blanket-making event. They each chose who would receive the blankets they made. They all had one thing in common - the recipients would be children and teens who were victims of or traumatized by violent crimes. Listen to this episode to hear the stories from four states: Virginia, Massachusetts, Conne…

1
EP43: Beyond the Ask: Building Donor Relationships with Handwritten Notes 8:35

1y ago8:35

8:35

With fundraising and volunteer engagement always top of mind, nonprofits need to maximize their donor relationships. Susan's penmanship can be challenging to read, even with the most heart-felt card she sends. Simply Noted provides nonprofits an easy way to personalize communication through handwritten notes, helping donors feel appreciated. Their …

1
EP42 Onboarding, and Retaining Regional Chapter Leaders 9:14

1y ago9:14

9:14

This is not your episode if you want to remain with only one location and not scale your organization. If you want to grow - even slowly, here are some tips to increase the success of that growth and help retain your regional chapter leaders. Here are a few ideas covered in this short episode: How-to videos. How to edit their info on your site - pr…

1
EP41 Normalcy and Healing for Abused Children and Teens 12:16

1y ago12:16

12:16

Shannon Kmetic, founder of Angels in the Outfield, joins Susan Finch to discuss her mission of supporting children impacted by crime and abuse. Kmetic shares how her experience as a prosecutor showed her the need to help children after going through trauma and the justice system. She details the year-round work Angels in the Outfield does to give k…

1
EP40 Wild mustangs and Healing Veterans Linked Forever Through Trust 29:24

1y ago29:24

29:24

Part of our MrBallen series, Sarah Muzquiz from the Ride Foundation joins Susan and shares the touching journey of healing through their programs. Many previously wild horses bond with veterans, inner-city kids, and individuals battling trauma, teaching invaluable lessons on trust and emotional boundaries. With a barn close to the city, the program…

1
EP39 Healing Young Hearts - Supporting Traumatized Children Together 23:48

1y ago23:48

23:48

Continuing the MrBallen Foundation Series, join this conversation on a topic close to many hearts - child abuse and the journey toward healing. Dr. Gina Crean from the Nashville Children’s Alliance joins Susan Finch to discuss the challenges faced by children who have undergone traumatic experiences and the support provided by Children's Advocacy C…

1
EP38 They Are Called to Bring Them All Home - Texas EquuSearch 29:54

1y ago29:54

29:54

You'll hear a Mark Twain quote in this episode. "The two best days are the one we are born and the one where we figure out why." That quote captures this episode with Texas EquuSearch's team as they tell their stories, how they found this organization, and how honored they are to find their why. This is the first half of the interview with Tammy Ph…

1
EP37 Just like that, the music stopped. 32:53

1+ y ago32:53

32:53

Step into a world where love triumphs over hate, where darkness is challenged by the unwavering light of compassion. Join Susan Finch as she sits down with Buck Blodgett, the founder of the Love is Greater Than Hate Project. In this poignant episode, their conversation delves deep into the heart of adversity, unveiling the power of human connection…

1
EP36 Coping with Grief: A Message of Compassion and Unity 22:53

1+ y ago22:53

22:53

As part of our MrBallen Foundation series, we have Bev Warnock, the executive director of Parents of Murdered Children, an organization dedicated to supporting families devastated by the unimaginable loss of a loved one to violence. As I spoke with Bev, I couldn't help but feel the weight of her mission. The pain and grief that these families endur…

1
EP35 It’s Easy to Help Others Instead of Watching Reality Shows 19:37

1+ y ago19:37

19:37

Susan's guest, Steve Squillante, co-founder of Tiny Transplant Titans, opens up about the nights he and his wife spent at the hospital with their son, who is awaiting a liver transplant. The encounters with other families and transplant patients illuminated the challenges faced by those who lived far from medical centers or lacked the support of a …

1
EP34 MrBallen Foundation and Binky Patrol Teaming Up October 28 4:49

1+ y ago4:49

4:49

Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 28. Locations are to be posted soon. Bring: Your heart, your smile, sharp scissors, your sewing machine if you want to, thread, possibly a cushion to pin and cut on the ground or a folding chair in a cafeteria, and comfy shoes. Learn more about MrBallen Foundation here. Learn more about Bink-A-Thons here. Co…

1
EP33 Breaking the Stigma: Seeking Help is a Sign of Strength 27:24

1+ y ago27:24

27:24

In this very special episode of All-Volunteer, All Heart from Binky Patrol, host Susan Finch sits down with Eric Berndt to talk about his experience coping with the loss of his father at a young age. Eric's story is a powerful testament to the importance of community, vulnerability, and resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship. Eric opens up…

1
EP32 Scaling Your Non-Profit: Tips and Strategies for Growth 26:52

1+ y ago26:52

26:52

In this episode, Susan Finch and Russ Cassvah discuss the ins and outs of starting and running a small nonprofit. They cover important topics such as conducting research, building a community, and finding strategic partners. They also share their experiences with fundraising events and employee matching programs, as well as the importance of being …

1
EP31 Building Blocks for Good: A Lego-Inspired Charity 18:02

1+ y ago18:02

18:02

In this episode welcomes Russ Cassvah, the founder of Little Brick's Charity. Susan has been trying to get Russ on the show for over a year, and finally, they get to talk about his journey and the mission of Little Bricks Charity. The conversation begins with Russ sharing his passion for LEGO and how that led him to start a charity that delivers LE…

1
EP30 From Bereavement Photography to a Mission of Care 26:00

2y ago26:00

26:00

Today we have a special guest, Michelle Cramer, the founder of On Angels' Wings. Michelle’s story is one of devotion and determination, and her mission is to improve the mental health and well-being of families with medically fragile children. On Angels' Wings provides free therapeutic photography and grief recovery services to families who need it…

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EP29 Non-Profits: Using Free AI Tools to Help with Your Marketing Load 4:34

2y ago4:34

4:34

For those of you who help market non-profits, volunteer for social media to help the non-profits, this episode will cover free tools to help lighten your load. I'm also excited to share with you some of the amazing small charities and organizations doing things differently in 2023. We'll be exploring the challenges they've faced and the successes t…

1
EP28 Joy and Connection Through Volunteerism to Outshine the Negative 20:28

2y ago20:28

20:28

Volunteering gives us an opportunity to break the cycle of negativity and fear. We have the power to change lives! Caitlin Peterson is a legal professional by day, and a Binky Patrol chapter leader in the off-hours. She's been volunteering for ten years - she started when she was 16. Listen to this episode to be inspired to do good and outshine the…

1
EP27 How to Get Big Groups of Kid Volunteers 11:51

2y ago11:51

11:51

How to get more volunteers? It will depend on the opportunities you have. Sometimes you have to be flexible and creative. Binky Patrol is a great organization for younger volunteers because what we do is easy and fun with friends. In the past, we've gained a lot of volunteers through annual events. These events can include scouting troops, schools,…

1
EP26 236 Hours - A Community Service Story 18:18

2y ago18:18

18:18

When Ben Tewes called panicked, he had two months to complete 236 court-ordered community service hours. We quickly calmed him down and assured him, he could do this! We came up with a plan, outlined here - https://binkypatrol.org/article.cfm?id=510. And he took it a step further. His probation officer wanted to be assured that BEN was actually mak…

1
EP25 Great Holiday Team Event for Remote Teams and Families 9:20

2y ago9:20

9:20

Have you ever known the family was coming over, but because of the weather, and varying ages, you didn't quite know what to do with everyone after the meal? What about when your office and workload are lighter due to the upcoming holidays, end-of-year vacations, and more? A great way to bring these groups of people together is to make blankets. It'…

1
EP24 Connecting Like Hearts to Grow Your Organization 20:26

2y ago20:26

20:26

Amy Smart is the founder of Diary of a Quilter. Her newsletter is inspiring, her website is filled with resources. Amy now knows about Binky Patrol. Binky Patrol volunteers have all been introduced to Amy Smart and Diary of a Quilter. This is how it works. Susan suggests that you seek out companies, individuals, and influencers in your space that h…

1
EP23 Gain Job Skills by Volunteering 4:35

2y ago4:35

4:35

When you volunteer you have an opportunity to help others, and better yourself. Our chapter leaders are not paid. No one is at Binky Patrol, but they are learning marketable skills. Binky Patrol chapter leaders - Area Coordinators - learn how to lead a group, speak publicly, do PR, coordinate events, do basic accounting and more. We give recommenda…

1
EP22 Create Signage to Direct Them To Your Event 9:33

2y ago9:33

9:33

We've invited people and they signed up! That's great. But, they need to be able to easily find you from the parking lot. Sometimes non-profits have events at libraries, community centers, schools, churches. Their campuses can be large and confusing. Having directional signage can help prevent volunteers from being frustrated before they walk in th…

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