WIB celebrates keeping communities warm with its 11th Annual Mitten & Winter Accessories Drive!

What began as a simple idea to help neighbors stay warm during New England’s chilly winters has grown into a beloved community tradition. This November, Women in Business of MA (WIB), formerly the Women’s Business Network of Norwood, just surpassed a special milestone with its 11th Annual Mitten & Winter Accessories Drive.

When the drive first launched in 2015, members hoped to collect a few bags of mittens, gloves, and scarves for local families in need. Over a decade later, those few bags have turned into truckloads of donations each year, thanks to the generosity of residents, businesses, and community organizations throughout Norwood and surrounding towns.

Some residents even knit throughout the year in anticipation of the annual collection, creating handmade hats, mittens, and scarves that offer something extra special: warmth from caring hands. According to representatives from the Norwood Food Pantry, many clients eagerly look forward to receiving these winter essentials as temperatures begin to drop.

The drive is carefully timed to make a difference when it matters most. Donations are collected throughout November and distributed the following week, helping families prepare for the cold winter months while also providing thoughtful and affordable holiday gift options for loved ones.

One of the most heartwarming aspects of the annual campaign is the involvement of students from the League School for Autism in Walpole, and in previous years, the May Institute in Norwood. Each year, students spend hours transforming ordinary collection boxes into colorful, festive displays that brighten participating locations and encourage donations. Their creativity and enthusiasm have become an important part of the drive’s success.

The 11th Annual WIB Mitten & Winter Accessories Drive will run November 1–30. Donations of new, handmade, or gently used winter accessories are welcome, including mittens, gloves, scarves, hats, earmuffs, headbands, and other items to help keep neighbors cozy throughout the season.

WIB extends a special thank-you to the local businesses and organizations generously hosting collection boxes this year:

Norwood Senior Center, 275 Prospect St., Norwood

Morrill Memorial Library, Norwood

Norwood Civic Center, 165 Nahatan St., Norwood

League School, 300 Boston-Providence Hwy., Walpole

Clean Remodel, LLC, 46 River St., Dedham

Back in Balance Chiropractic, 59 Pond St., Suite A, Sharon

Mazeri Salon, 4 Guild St., Norwood

Rincon2, 111A Lenox St., Norwood

During the first week of December, donations will be distributed to individuals and families in the Norwood and Dedham communities through the Norwood Food Pantry, the Blessing Boutique, First Congregational Church of Norwood, and a few senior communities.

Over the past decade, the drive has become much more than a collection of winter clothing. It represents the generosity of neighbors helping neighbors, the dedication of local businesses, and the difference a community can make when everyone contributes a little something.

Women in Business of MA is a local women’s professional networking organization committed to building business relationships, supporting one another, and giving back to the communities its members serve. Beyond its networking and educational opportunities, WIB is known for its enthusiastic involvement in local events and charitable initiatives. Those familiar pink WIB balloons spotted around town are often a sign that members are lending a helping hand!

Ten years, countless donations, and thousands of warm hands and hearts later, the mission remains the same for WIB: connecting the warmth of the Norwood community with its neighbors.

So, as you clean out your closets or prepare for the colder weather, consider setting aside a few extra mittens, gloves, or scarves. Something tucked away in your drawer could make a world of difference to someone else this winter.

Collection boxes will be available at the locations listed above throughout November, with donations accepted during regular business hours.

For more information about the Mitten Drive or Women in Business of MA, email [email protected], call 781-799-7068, or visit facebook.com/womeninbusinessma.