Los Cerritos students go on binky patrol
Handmade blankets
go to needy
By Heather Milo
Acorn Staff Writer

LISA ADAMS/T.O. Acorn SEWING TO HELP - Los Cerritos Middle School students Sean Laughlin, center, and Bianca Cagley, both eighth graders, sew blankets for the Binky Patrol while Jennifer Wutkee, left, consumer education teacher, watches.

Los Cerritos Middle School PTSA knows the value of a good cover-up. They’ve got their students on Binky Patrol, or rather, sewing blankets for the Binky Patrol, a nationwide organization that gives blankets to shelters and hospitals. The PTSA, or Parent Teacher Student Association, works with volunteer Moms and students.

A "binky" is a homemade blanket that can be sewn, knitted, crocheted or quilted. They range in size from 3-feet-square, up to twin-bed size. All patterns are acceptable, as long as they are soft, washable and can make it through the dryer on high; since most shelters and hospitals do not take the time for "special care" washing. A 3/8" to 1/2" seam allowance is required to ensure stability through tough washings. Each binky is delivered with a Binky Patrol label sewn in the corner. 

Some of the students were just learning to sew and crochet for this project, while some learned from their mothers and grandmothers. Megan Robertson, 13, learned to sew in a class last year. Both she and fellow student Kirstie Wheeler, 13, agreed that their parents liked the idea of the Binky Patrol project, so much so that Wheeler’s Mom is going to teach her how to crochet.

Enthusiasm for the project is high, and may even result in a sew-a-thon being implemented on a few Friday afternoons, said student Yael De Leon, 13. The students know exactly where their efforts are going: "To the homeless, to keep warm" said Kevin Lauthlin, 12. "And to babies and adults in the hospital."

The PTSA students only began sewing a week ago—the rest of the school year has been devoted to plans, gathering fabric and materials and teaching the beginning steps of stitching and crochet.

Parent volunteer Colleen Mattoon is teaching crocheting. An unsure debate arises from the students whether the first line of crochet is the easiest or the hardest part about starting a new blanket. According to the eighth graders, a blanket takes approximately two weeks to crochet. The PTSA students take their lunch period on Tuesdays and Thursdays to devote to blanket making, though some of them take their work home to make more progress.

The goal for the school is to produce 400 blankets by June. Parent volunteer Pam Van Uden said the PTSA is breaking down the goal into bite-size pieces as they go. Mom volunteers Marie Romano and Taryn Boisvert are also on hand to help out.

The PTSA is much in need of batting for the project. To donate supplies, call Los Cerritos Middle School at (805) 492-3538, or bring materials by the school at 2100 Avenida de los Flores, and drop them off with Linda Vaughn in the office. For more information, call the school, or see www.binkypatrol.org on the Web.

The PTSA had a number of students working the Binky Patrol on a Thursday: Raquel Brusher, 13, Bianca Cagley, 13, Yael De Leon, 13, Reilly Freibrun, 11, Kristen Jaffe, 13, Kevin Lauthlin, 12, Megan Robertson, 13, Elena Tucker, 11, Haley Van Uden, 13, Kelsey Van Uden, 11, Trevor Van Uden, 13, and Kirstie Wheeler, 13.

The consumer education teacher, Jennifer Wutkee, has helpfully hopped on the bandwagon, as well. She offered the freshly learned sewing skills of her 66 Consumer Ed students, who have to sew to complete the class anyway, to help sew the blankets for the Binky Patrol.