Actor Donnie Whalberg has proven himself to be a top human after leaving a huge tip for his IHOP server on New Year's Day.
He didn't just leave any tip, either, but $2,020 as part of the 2020 Tip Challenge which has seen a number of extremely generous people give their servers a very happy New Year. It allegedly began at Thunder Bay River Restaurant in Michigan when a server was given a $2,020 tip on a $23 bill, TooFab reports.
"My mom waited tables, and my dad tended bars - for years!" he captioned an Instagram post. "So, when I walk into a #WaffleHouse, and the staff treats me like a king, you better believe I treat them like queens! Thanks to the team at @wafflehouseofficial Charlotte, NC!"
The tip was given to a 37-year-old waitress and single mom Bethany Provencher, who was completely floored by the generous surprise.
"I've loved Donnie my whole life - I was a very big New Kids on the Block fan when I was a kid," she told People. "I didn't want to freak out at the table, so I went into the bathroom and freaked out a little. I was like, 'Oh my god!'"
This woman left a $5,000 tip on a $55 bill to get revenge on her boyfriend:"I served them the best I could do," she explained. "He folded up the receipt and he gave it to me, and told me not to open it until he left. I said, 'Okay, thank you, guys, come again. I'll take care of you again.' Then I open it, and I almost fell to the floor."
"I just started crying," she recalled. "I couldn't believe it. I mean, who does that? It was a blessing. I just moved into an apartment, I'm a single mother - by myself with my son. So I struggle every day to make ends meet. And now I can buy furniture and put some money in the bank, and make sure my son is good."
After discovering that she'd received such a generous tip, Bethany spoke to Donnie on the phone. She said she "really wanted to thank him and Jenny because they don't even understand what they did for me."
"God put him there for a reason for me, and I know that," she said. "It's the greatest thing to ever happen in my life."
