Too Many Mittens & Gloves?
WBN’s 9th Annual Mitten Drive begins November 1
by Michele Taranto
For the past eight years, the Women’s Business Network of Norwood (WBN) have held their Annual Mitten/Winter Accessories Drive. On its initial run in 2016, members hoped the Norwood community would respond with a few bags to help keep their neighbors warm, during New England’s cold months. Eight years later, the drive has surpassed all expectations with trunk loads of donations! Many Norwood residents knit throughout the year for the event, and a member of the Norwood Food Pantry has stated that their clients look forward to receiving these valuable donations.
The drive is intentionally scheduled not only to coincide with the transition to lower temperatures, but also to aid those who cannot afford to purchase gifts during the holiday season. The donations are distributed to numerous organizations the first week of December.
Rising inflation rates have left many struggling to make ends meet the past few years. With priorities given to necessities, such as mortgage, rent, gas, heat, and stocking fridges and pantries, this year’s campaign is more important than ever to provide warm accessories and holiday gifts.
The 9th WBN Annual Mitten/Scarf Drive will be held Nov. 1 through Nov. 30. Throughout the month, donations of new, handmade, or gently used cold weather accessories will be accepted, such as: gloves, mittens, scarfs, hats, earmuffs, headbands, and any other winter trimmings used to stay warm. Many thanks to the gracious owners of the following establishments who will host the donation boxes:
Norwood Senior Center, 275 Prospect St., Norwood
Morrill Memorial Library, Norwood
Murph’s Place, 58 Broadway, Norwood
May School/May Institute, 1 Commerce Way, Norwood
League School, 300 Bos.-Prov. Hgwy., Walpole
Clean Remodel LLC, 50 River St., Dedham
Back in Balance Chiropractic, 59 Pond St., Suite A, Sharon
The first week in December, all items will be donated to the Norwood and Dedham communities through local organizations and churches: the Norwood Food Pantry, the Norwood WCC Thrift Shop, the First Congregational Church of Norwood, and the Allin Congregational Church, of Dedham.
Since its inaugural year, the Mitten Drive has yielded a tremendous positive response from Norwood and surrounding communities. According to the Norwood Food Pantry Donations Coordinator, these donations are greatly appreciated and helped many Norwood families keep warm throughout the winter. In fact, many of their clients have stated they look forward to receiving these much-needed items as the leaves begin to change.
WBN is a local women’s networking group. It has developed a reputation not only as a valuable referral and resource network for working women, but also for contributing to the local community. Their signature pink balloons are often seen throughout town supporting local events.
For more information on WBN, email [email protected], or call 781-799-7068. You can also visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wbnnorwood//. Or simply stop by their booth or table at an event to learn more about the organization, or even just to say hi. Their members love meeting their neighbors!
Look for the decorated boxes in the locations listed above! Donations are accepted during regular business hours.