Urban Farmgirl in Rockford looks to ‘brighten days in little ways’ with Random Acts of Wishes
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our mobile app
ROCKFORD — A local business is granting mini wishes this holiday season as a way to brighten people’s lives with small gestures.
Mary Gulbrantson of Urban Farmgirl said her store’s Random Acts of Wishes is a way to provide a bit of joy to customers in exchange for the support they’ve provided the business. It’s her take on Random Acts of Kindness, with small gestures meant to spread positive vibes. It could be as simple as a cup of coffee to buying a haul of groceries for someone in need. She calls it “brightening days in little ways.”
“I put the ball in their court to tell me what can I do just to make somebody’s day for five minutes,” said Gulbrantson, who started Urban Farmgirl about 25 years ago. “They make us so happy in those 15 minutes that they’re in the store shopping. Maybe I can grant them a small, random wish that would give them happiness for the same amount of time.”
Here’s how it works: Customers grab a tag at the counter of either Urban Farmgirl location — 716 N. Madison St. and 2202 Rural St. — and write their wish on one side. They put their contact info on the other so that if the wish is chosen Gulbrantson can get in touch to grant it.
The potential wishes are displayed on the wall of the store. So far, some of the requests include a Christmas ham for someone’s neighbor, coats, hats and mittens for kids, and decorations to help a single mother spruce up her new home.
“I wouldn’t ask for a wish for myself, but there are other people who really deserve something special at the holidays,” said Janice Bartik, who filled out a tag with a small surprise directed to her sister. “This is kind of a fun surprise for anyone who participates, whether it’s somebody in need or somebody who just needs a little joy in their lives.”
Gulbrantson expects to grant the first wish on Friday. She initially planned to do Random Acts of Wishes through Christmas, but on Wednesday she said she now wants to extend it to New Year’s.
“Everybody’s stressed at the holidays. It doesn’t matter what you do for a living,” she said. “So if we can just do a little something here and there because life is so heavy, especially this year. Every single time you turn around there’s something slapping you in the face. …
“Even if it’s just something small, a random little cup of coffee, it still makes a person feel good.”
Info | Urban Farmgirl
Locations:
- 716 N. Madison St., Rockford
- 2202 Rural St., Rockford
Holiday hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday (through Dec. 21). Last-minute shopping hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 22-23
Online: urbanfarmgirl.com
Facebook: @urbanfarmgirlrockford
Instagram: @urban.farmgirl
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
