All Volunteer, All Heart from Binky Patrol

Jeanne Malgioglio has been running Binky Patrol's Connecticut chapter for years, and she's figured out something a lot of volunteers never do: how to ask for money without hating every second of it. In this episode, Susan Finch sits down with Jeanne to talk through what actually works when it comes to local fundraising — and what's mostly a waste of time.

Jeanne shares why she skips the big community foundation grant cycles (too many hoops, too many closed windows) and goes straight to Rotary clubs, utility companies, car dealerships, and local businesses that want to be part of something good. She walks through how she builds her outreach letters — short, authentic, and focused on a specific urgent need — and why she tailors each one rather than sending a generic blast.

They also dig into the power of Facebook community pages and neighborhood groups, how to make your events visible without being pushy, and how the next generation of volunteers — including students — are already taking initiative and learning to fundraise on their own.

If your chapter needs materials or money and you're not sure where to start, this one's for you.

When Cheryl Bean's friend mentioned her mother was moving into a senior community, she saw an opportunity that would change everything. What started as helping one resident who loved to sew has grown into a beautiful movement across Texas retirement communities.

In this heartwarming episode, Susan sits down with Cheryl Bean, Area Coordinator for Binky Patrol's Texas chapter, to talk about something special: bringing the joy of giving to senior communities. It's not just about making blankets (though that's wonderful too). It's about giving residents purpose, community, and the chance to use their talents to help children in crisis.

Cheryl shares creative ways seniors are contributing—from traditional crocheting and quilting to coloring fabric squares like they're kids again, braiding dog toys from fleece scraps, and creating "stripy blankets" when arthritis makes other crafts difficult. These aren't just activities; they're lifelines of connection.

You'll hear stories that'll make you smile: the 94-year-old who lights up when coloring blocks, the lady who came with a hundred baby hats and left learning to make full blankets, and the family who showed up grumpy but now returns every year.

This conversation is about more than crafting. It's about dignity, community, and the truth that we all need to contribute something meaningful—no matter our age. Whether you're looking to engage seniors in your area or simply want to hear how Binky Patrol is building bridges across generations, this episode will inspire you to think differently about what's possible.

Visit Cheryl's chapter page here.

Celebrating 30 years of making a difference, Binky Patrol founder Susan Finch shares five strategic initiatives designed to expand volunteer recruitment and engagement for small nonprofits. From Greek life partnerships to senior community programs, these practical approaches offer actionable blueprints for organizations looking to grow their impact.

Susan breaks down specific campaigns targeting college sororities and fraternities that already support children's charities like St. Jude's, showing how blanket-making events can complement existing fundraising efforts. She explores the untapped potential of senior communities where residents maintain crafting skills and desperately need purpose and community connection.

The episode also reveals Binky Patrol's mapping strategy to identify gaps in coverage by partnering with the Mr. Ballen Foundation, plus a quarterly challenge system to keep volunteers engaged year-round. Whether you run a nonprofit or want to understand volunteer mobilization strategies, this episode delivers concrete ideas you can implement immediately.

Learn how to get involved: https://binkypatrol.org 

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.

From Business Meeting to Beautiful Mission: When a routine client meeting with Mod Op's Kevin Krekeler transformed into an inspiring conversation about adaptive sports and giving back, we knew we had to hit record! In this spontaneous episode of All Volunteer All Heart from Binky Patrol, host Susan Finch discovers the incredible work Kevin does with Dallas Stars Adaptive Sports, providing hockey and life-changing experiences for youth and adults with intellectual, emotional, and physical disabilities. Learn how one mom's dream of being a 'sports mom' came true and why Kevin says this volunteer work 'fills his cup' after a demanding work week. Plus, hear Susan's hilarious story about scooter hockey chaos during her youth ministry days!

When the Altadena fires devastated Southern California communities, two organizations came together in an extraordinary way. Binky Patrol Director, Jeanne Malgioglio found ROWW while we and Al's Angels were looking for a way to respond and directly help the fire victims in Altadena. Susan Finch sits down with John Brotherton, Outreach and Partnership Manager for Reach Out WorldWide (ROWW), to discuss how a charity founded by actor Paul Walker has evolved into a powerhouse of compassionate disaster response. From curating personalized care packages in garages to operating full-scale distribution centers, John shares the intimate story of how dignity, authenticity, and community mobilization transformed chaos into hope. This conversation reveals the unexpected ways everyday skills—from truck driving to coffee making—can save lives during a crisis.

About ROWW:

Reach Out WorldWide (ROWW) is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit founded by actor Paul Walker. In January of 2010, after a massive earthquake devastated Haiti, Walker spontaneously organized a relief team that responded to the disaster. On the trip, he identified a gap between the availability of skilled resources and the requirement for such personnel in post-disaster situations. Upon returning from Haiti, ROWW was established with the purpose of fulfilling this unmet need.

ROWW continues to respond internationally to natural disasters worldwide ranging from earthquakes to hurricanes.

The organization's teams are small, allowing them to gather and deploy quickly. They pack efficiently so that they can carry their gear into the most remote and desperate regions. These are the people that have been excluded from the media attention and are too small or inconvenient for the larger non-profits to reach.

It would have been far easier and cheaper for Walker to affiliate his efforts with an existing organization and check in from time to time, but he didn't. He chose to get dropped off from a helicopter in Haiti, during a very unstable time, without a plan, in hopes of personally helping those in need. He accomplished his goal and was hooked. Next, he shifted his schedule around to go to aid those in need in Chile. Again, he not only funded the trip but also gave his own time. After a few more deployments he was finally at peace with his profession as he knew it was allowing ROWW to exist.

Reach Out WorldWide (ROWW):

Binky Patrol:

Twenty years ago, Kimberly Haley Coleman was stuck abroad on business weekends, wanting to volunteer but finding nothing meaningful to do. So she created her own opportunities—and Globe Aware was born.

Today, Globe Aware connects volunteers with communities in 21 countries through week-long service projects. We're talking about real work: installing concrete floors in Guatemala, assembling wheelchairs in Cambodia, building stoves that actually vent smoke out of homes.

In our conversation, Kimberly shared something that didn't surprise me. Volunteers consistently tell her they received more from the experience than they gave. There's something about showing up, working alongside families, and seeing their daily reality that writing a check simply can't replicate.

These aren't luxury trips. You're staying in modest accommodations, eating local food, and getting your hands dirty. But families come home fundamentally changed in how they see the world.

As Kimberly puts it, "There's no check you can write that can do that to a kid's brain."

If you've been thinking about meaningful travel or want to show your family a bigger world, this episode offers a completely different way to think about vacation time. You could even revisit a few places through new eyes and opportunities.  Think Machu Picchu, Transylvania, Thailand, Cuba, Mexico, Vietnam, the Philippines, and the Galapagos Islands.

Links from this episode:

Globe Aware

Binky Patrol

In this powerful episode of All Volunteer All Heart from Binky Patrol, host Susan Finch sits down with Susie Vybiral, founder of Room Redux, an incredible organization that transforms the living spaces of children who have faced sexual abuse, physical abuse, and violent crimes. 

Through the Mr. Ballen Foundation connection, Susan discovered this perfect partnership between two organizations dedicated to showing vulnerable children they are loved, valued, and supported. Room Redux has transformed 365 rooms across the nation in just six years, creating safe sanctuaries where children can heal and thrive.

Join us as Susie shares the heart behind Room Redux's mission, the collaborative approach that makes their work possible, and how they're changing lives one room at a time - all done anonymously and completed in a single day.

About Susie Vybiral

I have always had a heart for children and have believed they should have the best childhood experience possible. While I was a family advocate at a children’s advocacy center, I learned that although children who have faced sexual and physical abuse often receive therapy, they continue to be afraid or feel unsafe in their bedrooms. I started Room Redux in order to remove triggers in children’s rooms and completely transform their environment. By painting the room, providing new furniture, decor, and lighting, and even changing the positioning of the bed, children feel safe and cared about in their new sanctuary.

Links from this episode:

https://mrballen.foundation 

https://binkypatrol.org

https://roomredux.org 

When someone asks for help, they're being brave. Host Susan Finch sits down with her niece Susan Arias, Chief Growth Officer at MAAC—recently named one of California's Nonprofits of the Year for 2025.

For 60 years, MAAC has been proving that comprehensive community support works. From Head Start preschool to affordable housing, workforce training to innovative EV car loans, they meet people where they are and help them build the lives they want.

Susan shares how her childhood of making "kid packs" for homeless neighbors shaped her nonprofit career, why one unexpected bill can change everything, and the transformative story of a Head Start student who made it to Harvard.

This isn't about handouts—it's about pathways. Whether you're curious about nonprofit careers, seeking volunteer opportunities, or wondering how real community change happens, this conversation offers hope and practical insights into empowering others while filling your own cup.

Susan Arias, M.A. CFRE, is the Chief Growth Officer at MAAC, where she leverages over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and fundraising. Prior to her current role, Susan dedicated her career to supporting Boys & Girls Clubs across Orange and San Diego Counties, where she passionately advocated for equitable access to essential programs and services for youth and families. Her expertise in strategic philanthropy ensures MAAC can address community needs effectively, enhancing services and opportunities for all individuals. Susan remains committed to empowering communities through impactful philanthropic initiatives that make a meaningful difference in people's lives. 

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

FACEBOOK: MAAC | Chula Vista CA | Facebook

INSTAGRAM: MAAC 1965 (@maac1965) • Instagram photos and videos

LINKEDIN: (1) MAAC: Posts | LinkedIn

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YOUTUBE: MAAC San Diego - YouTube