Rustic Love hearts on full display.
Rustic Love

A story with a lot of heart

The slogan goes “Virginia is for lovers,” but Vienna, Virginia, a Washington, D.C., suburb, is the area covered in hearts. This small town is home to Rustic Love, a nonprofit that helps organizations that aid the community’s food insecure.

Founded by Michelle Connors and her family, Rustic Love started as a backyard fundraiser during the pandemic. “We promote philanthropy in children and families by creating volunteer opportunities to build wooden heart signs,” she says. “We then offer them to individuals or organizations for donations.”

Almost three years and more than 5,000 heart yard signs dotting the community later, local businesses joined the efforts by creating jewelry, pottery, beer, wine and other heart-related products to raise money for the nonprofit.

“Our goal and mission is to help ease food insecurity,” Connors says. “To date, we’ve raised more than $350,000, and it’s all from the financial support within our community.”—Katie Coleman

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Member info

• Who Michelle Connors
• Hometown Vienna, Virginia
• Occupation Founder and executive director of Rustic Love
• Website Rusticlove.org
• Member quote “Our heart signs have become a symbol of proactive caring and concern for others, and we’re delighted to know that some of our hearts have reached the West Coast and a few European countries.”—Michelle Connors