Amid the uncertainties surrounding the threat of COVID-19, one Albert Lea business is making an extra effort to spread cheer among residents at the community’s care facilities. 

Addie’s Floral & Gifts is distributing flowers for each resident and started Wednesday at St. John’s Lutheran Community off of Minnesota Highway 13. 

“I want them to know that people are thinking about them and spring is on the way,” said Addie’s owner Addie Rust. “I thought we’d share some flowers with them to cheer them up.” 

She planned to go to the St. John’s campus on Fountain Lake on Thursday and then to the other facilities in the days to come. 

The care facilities are under strict guidelines restricting visitors to reduce the spread of the virus. 

“We at St. John’s Lutheran Community feel honored and blessed that Addie’s Floral thought of our senior community during this time of social distancing,” said Kathy Woodside, director of public relations, fund development and volunteers at St. John’s Lutheran Community. “These fresh and beautiful flowers brought true excitement and huge smiles to each and every resident and tenant.” 

Woodside thanked the business for brightening their residents’ lives. 

Rust said she is sharing a variety of flowers, including roses, carnations, daisies and lilies. 

Though things have slowed down for her own business in recent days as events are being postponed or canceled, the business is still available to deliver flowers to people in the community for people who don’t want to leave their homes. 

“We all have to have faith that this is all going to pass,” she said. “You have to try to stay positive and try to help where you can.”