‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’ Margaret Mead
We are a small team ... with big hearts!
Inspired by an intention to include those in our community with differing abilities who might otherwise find it difficult to land a job or earn an income, but who nonetheless have skills and aptitudes to offer - that are perfect for rolling Love Notes! - we have attracted a special bunch of big-hearted humans to roll up the magic that warms people’s hearts - and that you help to spread!
Meet the team
Team Camphill
Everyone on the Camphill team lives on a beautiful rural property just outside of Angus, Ontario, Canada. They meet once a week to get busy to keep the Love Note coffers stocked. Each member of Team Camphill earns their own money. For some, it is the first money-earning job they’ve held! Meet Jamie, Patrick, Skylar, Shelley (Love Note Team Lead, second from the right), and Annette.
Team Events For Life
Team EFL meets up in a beautiful old victorian farmhouse on the outskirts of Thornbury for a wide variety of programming. They come together once a week to roll Love Notes. It is one of the ways they are gaining valuable work experience. This team of big hearts is pooling the money they earn into a common pot that will finance a special excursion for the team. I heard they’ve got their eye … possibly on a Blue Jays game!
Watch the inspiring EFL crew (& friends) here. Andrew
is our most experienced Love Note ‘roller’, part of the first team that got started just days before that first ‘lock down’ in March 2020. The very first Love Note he pulled - Your smile lights up the whole world! was, of course, a perfect one!
"Andrew’s autism is such that 24/7 supervision is required to help Andrew participate in all areas of his life. So, finding a job can be very difficult. When Shelley approached me about Andrew being involved in a unique “at home” job, my answer was “sure, let’s give it a try!” Andrew will roll 50 notes at one sitting before he hands me the Roller (cool drill) to imply “All done” for now. (Mom sits beside Andrew and does the tying of the Love Notes.) Thank you Shelley for thinking of Andrew as a new employee!!"
-Andrew's mom, Sheri
Shelley Hannah
Team Lead and inspirateur of the Love Notes
A life coach, facilitator, nature lover and entrepreneur, Shelley most enjoys engaging with people and projects that help to make the world a better place. Whether it’s being more understanding and inclusive or celebrating the magic and wonders that surround and include us, it all puts a smile in her heart and a lift in her step!
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The Love Notes began as little personal notes of acknowledgement in birthday and holiday cards to family and friends. Words have long come easily to me and stringing them together to acknowledge people for the special magic they bring to the world around them, a favourite pastime.
In late 2012, the fun got expanded and I began making a bunch of the little folded notes to hand out randomly to people I encountered in an otherwise pretty boring job. The little fun surprise brightened many people's day.
I was having so much fun with them! They went from being hand-written and folded to being photocopied, then rolled and banded with a sparkly length of pipe cleaner.. It was then that people began to notice the magical quality they held - they had an uncanny way of landing in just the right hands!
The Love Notes went ‘commercial’ in 2013 when a friend asked if she could buy some to share at a Rotary Gala dinner. They were a hit when the keynote speaker held his up to start his speech!
They soon got an upgrade and landed in colourful organza bags. Complaints of illegibility began coming in, so simpler 'Large Print' notes were created for children, elders and those new to english. (A few original ‘chickenscratch’ Love Notes are still around, but are no longer being produced.)
A few local stores began buying them to offer their customers at special times of the year. Soon after, they were carried for sale in 3 local stores - with no tags!
It would be another year before they’d get a little descriptor tag added so that local shops might be able to more easily sell them!
The Love Notes 'collection' expanded to include Love Notes for all, for 12 yrs & up, en français, and for lovers.
For the the first 7 years, Love Notes were pretty much all rolled by me ... and the friends and family who happened to be with me when larger orders were placed.
They are still be around today, 10 years later, because of the magic they hold to land in the right hands and to completely delight those they touch!
The Love Note roller team was officially expanded just days before the first lockdown in March 2020. Andrew, Nicole and Shelby, 3 young adults with special needs began helping to grow the Love Note stocks. For 2 of them, it was their very first income-generating job! Three years later, Andrew (and his mom) remain active rollers. The team has grown to include about a dozen more rollers from Team- Camphill and Team EFL. Central to expanding the Love Note team has been the desire to include and to create opportunities for those in our community who do not easily find ways to both contribute meaningfully and to earn an income.
Making a difference with everyone they touch is important to us.
If you or someone you know is interested in being part of the Love Note Team, as a roller, marketer or sales person, please reach out!