by Michele Taranto

Members of the Women’s Business Network of Norwood (WBN) are grateful again this year with the donations from their 6th Annual Winter Accessory Drive. This year’s fundraiser was again an impressive increase from previous years with approximately 1,022 items donated! Close to 1,000 pieces were donated during COVID in 2020 and a large increase from 2019 where 675 pieces were given to the food pantry and Home for Little Wanderers Thrift Shop. The remarkable flood of donations is just one example of why residents can truly call Norwood a community where neighbors come together and the word community is taken to heart.

In addition to the extreme generosity of Norwood residents, WBN members would like to thank the following businesses for hosting a donation box the month of November in their establishments: Murph’s Place, 58 Broadway, Norwood; the Vanderbilt Club, 45 Vanderbilt Ave., Norwood; As Good As It Gets Café, 1210 Prov.-Hgwy. (behind Petco), Norwood; Brookside Café, 1260 Washington St., S. Norwood; the Norwood Senior Center, and Clean Remodel LLC, 50 River St., Dedham. Contributions were so generous that boxes quickly filled up and multiple trips were required by WBN members to make room for those cold-weather accessories. Also, the students at the League School of Greater Boston, in Walpole, again displayed their festive creativity decorating each box and printing flyers to promote the campaign. 

Each year, the drive is held Nov. 1-30, but from the abundance of homemade items that were donated, it was clear many residents had busy hands throughout the year creating incredibly beautiful knitted pieces in preparation for the event. This year, the boxes were also plentiful with brand new items purchased for the yearly event.

On December 9, the WBN members offered the donations to the Norwood Food Pantry and the Home for Little Wanderers Thrift Shop, in Roslindale. Thanks to the benevolence of so many people, their local neighbors will not have to worry about staying warm during the cold, winter months.

WBN was formed seven years ago and its participants include women who work or live in and around Norwood. Shadowing their tagline, Connect, Refer, and  Support, the members strive to support each other and their businesses through referrals, advice, consultations, linking business connections, and sharing wisdom. Their chapter also consider it vitally important to give back to the community that supports their businesses throughout the year through community service projects, such as the mitten drive.

Current WBN members include Michele Taranto, RE/MAX Real Estate Center; Kandi Finch, All Chores Considered; Wendy Aimola, New York Life Insurance Co.; Ellen Connors,, Shamrock Home Loans, Kim Burke, Home Helpers; Catherine Good, Law Office of Catherine Becker Good; Maria Levin, Maria Levin PC; Mencia Quinonez, Mary Kay Cosmetics consultant; Alyssa Koulopoulos, Liberty Mutual Insurance; Carolyn Oliviera, Breaking Free Chiropractic; Stephanie Trovato, Magical Moments Vacations; Natalie Navatta-Golia, Merry Go Sweets.

WBN is currently accepting members. Only one representative per industry. For more information on WBN, email [email protected], or call 781-799-7068.