Washington Medical Spa Launches $500 Kindness Week Contest

A medical spa in Washington state is putting kindness front and center with a week-long celebration that rewards people for spreading joy.

Northwest Medical Arts in University Place is hosting Random Acts of Kindness Week from February 14-21, 2026. Community members can submit stories of kindness they've witnessed, received, or given for a chance to win $500 in spa services.

The initiative wasn't just a marketing idea. Shanti Benoit, a nurse practitioner and co-owner of the medical spa, experienced a life-changing random act of kindness in 2019 that shifted her entire perspective on business and community.

"At Northwest Medical Arts, we know firsthand the power that kindness has in creating a ripple effect from our office to the world," Benoit said. She runs the business alongside fellow nurse practitioner Heather Grods.

University Place Mayor Stan Flemming recognized the effort with a certificate of recognition. He noted that the city is building a reputation as "the kindness capital of the state."

The medical spa isn't working alone. Local businesses including Artful Beauty, Harbornest, and Hotworx have joined as partners in the kindness initiative, creating a network of businesses committed to celebrating compassion in their community.

The Ripple Effect

What started as one person's experience with unexpected kindness has grown into a citywide movement. The partnership between multiple small businesses shows how one act of generosity can inspire entire communities to look for the good happening around them.

The woman-owned, veteran-owned, and minority-owned business has already won recognition from the Seattle Times, Tacoma News Tribune, and local magazines. Now they're using their platform to highlight ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Northwest Medical Arts is planning an open house on April 25th for local business owners and residents to learn more about the kindness initiative. Anyone can submit their kindness stories at the spa's website.

One random act changed a business owner's life in 2019, and now an entire Washington city is looking for chances to spread that same spark.