By Michele Taranto

 

 

Local residents have done it again. Donations from the 9th Annual Women’s Business Network of Norwood (WBN) Mitten Drive was another impressive success! In fact, this year’s count surpassed last year’s total by 50 pieces with 1,050 winter accessories collected during November.

Seven donation bins, festively decorated by the May School in Norwood and the League School in Walpole, were placed around town from November 1 to November 30: Norwood Senior Senter, Morrill Memorial Library, the Vanderbilt Club, Murph’s, Back in Balance Chiropractic, in Sharon, the May Institute, in Norwood, and the League School in Walpole. As in previous years, members made many trips throughout the month to empty overfilled boxes, often with new and handmade gloves, mittens, scarfs, and hats. In fact, the WBN elves estimated that more brand new items were donated this year than the previous eight years!

Through that generosity, many local neighbors again had presents under the tree and items to stay warm this winter.

The first week in December, all items were donated to the Norwood and Dedham communities through local organizations and churches: the Norwood Food Pantry, the First Baptist Church (Blessings Boutique), in Norwood, First Congregational Church of Norwood, and the Dedham Youth Commission.

“This is priceless,” Becky from the Dedham Youth Commission said. “I am so grateful and we will be able to help so many families.”

Each year, the fundraiser 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. 

WBN will celebrate its milestone 10th anniversary in March, 2025. It is encompass es women who work or live in and around Norwood. As their tagline states, Connect, Refer, and Support, the members champion each other and their businesses through referrals, advice, consultations, networking connections, and sharing wisdom. The chapter also considers it vitally important to give back to the community that supports their businesses throughout the year through civic service projects, such as the winter accessory drive. Throughout the year, Norwood residents may have seen their signature balloons at various local events, such as the Norwood Farmers Market and the Holiday Tree Lighting.

Current WBN members include Michele Taranto, Suburban Lifestyle Real Estate; 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, Clean Remodel, LLC; Alyssa Koulopoulos, Cross Insurance; Jillian Banks, Back in Balance Chiropractic; Cheryl Dukeman, Coast to Coast Closings; Christina G. Stetson, Modern Eyes; Daniela Masters, Aging Well Advocates. 

WBN is currently accepting members. Only one representative per industry. 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.