Note Project: Write a Note, Change a Life

The Note Project is an ambitious global movement aimed at "making the world a million times better."

Mike O'Mary, the man behind the movement, hopes to inspire one million people to write a note of appreciation to someone who makes a difference in their lives.

The Note Project grew out of a simple note of gratitude for a memory shared between O'Mary and his sister. "That note healed years of self-doubt for me, and taught me firsthand about the power of appreciation," O'Mary said.

O'Mary told his story in The Note, an award-winning book that has touched millions of lives since its publication in 2011. The Living Now Book Awards called it "the best gift book of the year."

Will you pledge to send a thank-you note to someone in your life? Your participation in the Note Project is free, and each pledge counts as one vote toward O'Mary's million note goal.

The Note Project makes it easy for you to show your gratitude. The website features stories and videos, free e-cards, letter writing tips, classroom lesson plans, and a place to share your personal story. O'Mary will consider all stories for publication in a book about the Note Project.

"A simple note of appreciation can change a person’s life," said O'Mary. "Equally important, writing a note of appreciation can change your life." Take the pledge today, and help change the world one thank-you note at a time.

O'Mary launched the Note Project in April 2011 with a free virtual event: the Note Project Telesummit. The three day affair explored several different aspects of appreciation through powerful messages and practical advice.

Hosted by Mike O'Mary and Lynn Serafinn, the discussions featured eight leading authors and experts on the subject: Brenda Adelman, Chester Elton, Gail Goodwin, Florence Isaacs, John Kralik, Michael McMillan, Dan Millman, and Nia Peeples.

The sessions total 4.5 hours and feature tips on how to make appreciation part of your life. You can get a free audio copy of "The Power of Appreciation" by pledging to thank someone who made a difference in your life.

The Note Project understands the natural fit between note writing and literacy. With the project launch came a 12x12x12 pledge: twelve literacy projects in twelve countries in twelve months.

The Note Project sponsors one literacy project each month. At the month's end, it donates ten percent of that months' profits from Note Project Kit sales to the featured project.

The Note Project makes the donations through the GlobalGiving Foundation. The non-profit organization is a registered 501(c)3 that connects donors with economic development, environmental, and social projects across the globe.

To date, the Note Project has sponsored literacy projects in Afghanistan, India, Iraq, Kenya, Liberia, Russia, Serbia, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

"Born to Read: Raising a Generation of Readers" is one literacy project that received funding from the Note Project. "Born to Read" is an initiative of the San Antonio (Texas) Public Library Foundation, a support organization for the public libraries in my city.

The project provides 25,000 bilingual (English-Spanish) literacy kits, one for every baby born in Bexar County. "Born to Read" literacy bags include two age-appropriate books, a library card application, and tips for parents on how to nurture lifelong readers.

• Chicago Writers Association. (August 3, 2012) "Indie Press Spotlight: Mike O'Mary." Windy City Writers. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
• GlobalGiving Foundation. (n.d.) "Born to Read: Raising a Generation of Readers." GlobalGiving Foundation. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
• O'Mary, Mike. (April 18, 2011) "Note Project Aims to Inspire 1 Million People to Write Notes of Appreciation and Support Literacy Projects Around the World." RedOrbit. Retrieved May 16, 2011.

Copyright © 2011. Annette R. Smith. All rights reserved.

Published: May 16, 2011 / Modified: February 25, 2013.

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