‘Pay it forward’: Primrose staff and residents hand out gift bags for Random Acts of Kindness Day

WASILLA — Primrose Retirement Community of Wasilla staff and residents handed out gifts bags and friendly greetings at the Wasilla Public Library Thursday, February 17 in conjunction with Random Acts of Kindness Day.

“It’s fun because it makes them smile,” Wasilla Primrose Executive Director, Tauna Norman said.

Primrose staff set up a booth inside the main lobby of the Wasilla Library, warmly welcoming guests and handing out bags containing gift cards, key chains, hand sanitizer, and other items with no strings attached. The only goal was to spread kindness for kindness’ sake.

“With the challenges of the world today, we can all use some extra kindness these days, and kindness from a stranger is something guaranteed to make a person smile,” Wasilla Primrose sales director, Renita Reedy-Smith said. “This day is a favorite of our residents and staff. We hope that by sharing these small random acts of kindness, we can encourage others to pay it forward and show kindness to strangers they come across.”

Primrose Retirement Communities is a national company with facilities across the country. According to Norman, all the Primrose locations participate in Random Acts of Kindness Day. She said that her favorite part of this annual tradition is spreading goodwill and seeing the positive reactions from community members.

“I think it surprises people and gives them a lift for the day,” Norman said.

According to Primrose administrative assistant Laine Marrs, this was their first time putting on the event out of the Wasilla Library. They typically hold it at the Mat-Su College, but they are still unable to utilize the venue because of the pandemic conditions. She noted that the college offered more foot traffic but the library had more kids who gave the best reactions.

“Plus, it’s nice to switch it up,” Marrs said.

Norman said that general operations at Wasilla Primrose are going well. She said the pandemic has made public events like these more seldom but all the more appreciated.

“It’s fun to bring the residents out,” Norman said.

Primrose Retirement Community of Wasilla features 27 independent living apartment homes, 41 assisted living apartment homes, and eight townhome villas.

For more information, call 907-373-5500 or visit primroseretirement.com/wasilla-alaska-senior-care-communities.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com