Handing out a couple hundred flower bouquets is one thing, but 1,200 is another. That’s exactly what Lauren Lebowitz is doing as a random act of kindness, along with other florists across the country.

“It feels like an enormous amount; 1,200 bouquets is astronomical to be giving away,” Lebowitz said.

It’s the seventh year she’s participated in the nationwide event, called Petal it Forward. Florists give out free bouquets in their communities to spread joy.

“It pretty much backs up the research that flowers just make people happy. It improves people’s state of mind, relieves their anxiety and stress levels. We are going out there to make people happy,” Lebowitz said.

It takes multiple truck and van loads, but Lauren and her team are packed up and ready to share the bouquets in Glens Falls – and everyone gets two bouquets: one for them, and one to “petal forward.”

“We’re out here surprising people about the power of flowers and how they make people smile, and make people happy,” Lebowitz said.

Car after car, Lebowitz’s small act of kindness is a bright spot for many.

“When you surprise them and they kind of look at you like you’re crazy, like ‘why are you coming over to me; I’m not interested,’ ” Lebowitz said, “and then they realize what’s happening and they get this huge smile on their face, you can’t help but to feel warm inside.”

From local businesses to people walking down the street, everyone got flowers, but it came with a requirement.

“They have to smile, and I would like them to ‘petal it forward’ so they can get the feeling of how it feels when someone smiles at you and it makes you feel good,” Lebowitz said.

As tough as the last year has been on many, Lebowitz said even a random act of kindness helps make the biggest difference to a stranger.

“For some people, it really goes a long way. Some people don’t ever receive flowers … but we were out there, and they are shocked when we give it to them,” Lebowitz said.