The Nest recently donated 25 filled stockings to the YWCA of Western Massachusetts.
Photo credit: Nancy Sousa Giza
EAST LONGMEADOW — For three weeks from November through mid December, The Nest, a boutique gift store at 60 Shaker Road, collected items for their first stocking charity event.
The event was in support of women and moms who have left domestic violence situations and are sheltered at the YWCA of Western Massachusetts.
The YWCA is an organization in Springfield dedicated to “eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.” Founded in 1868, it is the fifth largest YWCA in the country and provides shelter, support services and tools for self-sufficiency for women and girls in the community, supporting nearly 12,000 individuals annually.
The Nest was able to collect 25 stockings, filled with items like skin care and spa products, jewelry and fuzzy warm accessories. Owner Nancy Souza Giza organized the event and said that she wanted to support the moms who can be otherwise forgotten about.
“I was thrilled we were able to fill 25 stockings,” Giza said. “That was my goal. I’m hoping to grow with each year but they were really nice stockings filled with a lot of things.”
Giza said she is most proud about the community’s response to the event. She said she had customers come into The Nest solely to buy items for the event or donate money to the shelter.
“I think I was most proud that we could give back to the community, and also women supporting women,” Giza said. “I think that’s such an important thing and I think the women in East Longmeadow and the surrounding towns really pulled through and supported these women who are definitely in need of that help.”
Giza said she wasn’t initially familiar with the YWCA prior to the event but said the services they provide are wonderful. She said families are able to stay together and the women are supported right through with things like new clothing, job searches or court appearances.
“It’s a wonderful wrap-around program and it’s so close,” Giza said. “I think it’s fabulous, the work that they do.”
Something meaningful that Giza said would stay with her is the courage the women living at the YWCA have to get out of abusive situations and obtain a better life for their children.
“I think it’s very admirable that they were able to leave a situation which often is extremely difficult and challenging and get help,” Giza said. “That’s nothing more than what a wonderful mother does, puts their kids first. I think it’s fabulous that they’re able to get the support they need to get on a positive track.”
Giza also thanked customers of The Nest who were generous enough to donate items and money to help and support women of the community.
“It’s certainly something I want to continue and grow,” Giza said. “I think it’s just really important the community of East Longmeadow and the towns surrounding have been so supportive to my little business so I definitely want to give back.”
