My Nonprofit Reviews

Four years ago, the Swirls Around the World Family attended our very first CureFest For Childhood Cancer. CureFest has become one of our most treasured family traditions. Each year becomes more special, powerful, moving, and memorable. The connections we have made at CureFest have become our family. They are the greatest blessings in our lives. And this is all made possible by the incredible Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation and their team of heroes, lead by a family of warriors and inspired by a pediatric cancer survivor.

The Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation lives up to their name every single day- they open their arms to all families and offer support in all areas: from funding groundbreaking research projects and grants, providing support to families through hope & healing bereavement retreats and financially through Helping Hands, to starting a worldwide movement in the fight against pediatric cancer, uniting the world as one voice. And so much more.

AWOCCF is the guiding light in the fight against childhood cancer, while providing comfort and hope to families every step of the way. It is our greatest honor to support this incredible organization. Thank you AWOCCF for your everyday amazing and life-changing work. You are so loved and appreciated beyond words!

I remember the exact moment that Binkeez for Comfort touched my heart. I was at work when I received a message from Susan, the incredible founder of Binkeez. Susan shared that they had a fabric with a "swirl-like pattern" that she wanted to dedicate to my cousin Matthew "Swirls" Cirelli. I was immediately brought to tears and overwhelmed with love. My cousin Matt (his nickname was Swirls for his red curly hair!) passed away in December of 2013 after a 2-year battle with Ewing's Sarcoma. In his honor, we started Swirls Around the World to continue his legacy. I immediately sent Susan's message to my family, and we were all so speechless and honored. A few days later, we received the most beautiful gift in the mail ,The Matt "Swirls" Binkeez. It was truly one of the greatest moments; the excitement of opening the package from Susan and Binkeez and seeing the Swirls pattern, and hugging the blanket so tight that I felt the love that went into making this blanket; it was just like Christmas morning, but even better.
Just this month, my family and I had the opportunity to visit Susan and The Binkeez store to see where all of the magic happens, and it was such an incredible day. When I walked in to the Binkeez store, I felt all the love in the world. I was surrounded by beautiful photos of pediatric warriors. Susan shared with us the stories of these incredible children, and each Binkeez that was dedicated in their honor. She told us the story of how Binkeez originated; to honor her mother's work of sewing over 40,000 blankets for children in third-world countries. Susan continued her mother's legacy with the founding of Binkeez for Comfort. Displayed on the wall was some of the blankets that Susan's mother had sewn, serving as an everyday inspiration of love. Susan welcomed us with big hugs, and from the moment she sent us the message about the Swirls fabric, she became family. Binkeez for Comfort is for the children and each blanket is truly more than just a blanket. When you hug a Binkeez Blanket, you can feel the love, warmth, and careful thought that went into the blanket and the child that the blanket is dedicated to. Binkeez is love.

Susan gifted us with four Matt "Swirls" Binkeez to spread the love with. Meeting Susan and seeing where the true magic takes place left my heart feeling so beyond full. My family and I are so thankful and blessed that Susan and Binkeez for Comfort came into our lives. Susan is a true angel on Earth and her dedication to stay true to Binkeez and the children is so incredibly inspiring. We are forever grateful.

My family and I are already planning another visit to volunteer and to be apart of The Binkeez Mission of love.

Thank you Susan and thank you Binkeez for Comfort, for continuing to make a difference and spreading love and inspiration around the world. You will forever have a special place in our hearts.

Love,
Jen Caruso