Being a server is difficult. You’re on your toes almost all the time and you need to be quick with mountains and mountains of requests during peak services. More than that, they can be underpaid at times, even if they’re working longer hours.
It’s because of this work environment that most service staff rely on tips shared by generous guests and customers.
This kind of generosity was embodied by a group of patrons during the holiday season.
They stopped by a Cracker Barrel branch in Jacksonville, Florida where an unsuspecting waitress became their host for that night.
The group’s plan was to give the waitress a tip she’d never forget.
They don’t have a name, nor are part of any content-producing channel. They are just strangers united by the intention of spreading the Christmas spirit. They don’t even know each other. Instead, they connected through a Facebook post asking for participants in a random act of kindness.
After getting enough volunteers for their initiative, a private Facebook page was created where they listed potential restaurants to visit. The group then voted on where to go. They decided to visit a local IHOP and a Cracker Barrel.
The footage of the moment was shared by Action News Jax on their YouTube channel.
In the video, the group called their waitress then explained to her why the group was filming. The waitress was confused at first but as the group explained their intention, she began to become emotional.
One of the women introduced the group as “people who met on Facebook”. She said the group was looking for someone with the intention of “blessing their Christmas”.
They chose someone by chance, though.
The lady admitted that they didn’t know her story. They were just putting together who she was and her struggles with the little details they picked up on along the way.
In the end, they handed her an envelope containing the tip. They revealed that it was $1,000.
The waitress couldn’t help but cry.
For someone who’s struggling to make ends meet, this kind of money can help them in so many ways. They can use it to stop worrying about rent for a short while. They can use it for college debts, credit cards, groceries, or anything that can help them get over the next couple of months.
It wasn’t the first time this group did something like this, however.
In a separate Facebook post, the group revealed that this was a two-part act of kindness. The group visited the IHOP branch off Blanding Boulevard.
They surprised the waitress with a special $1,652 tip.
“It’s the last one this year!” the Facebook post read, “We were able to surprise and bless this hard-working waitress with a $1,652 Christmas gift. She earned every penny! I love my circle of crazies who enjoy blessing strangers! Merry Christmas everyone”
They also shared with Action News Jax that their encounter was made more special when the waitresses’ parents contacted them and told them how thankful they were.
Jacob Bryan, one of the members of the group said, “Great memories made with the greatest people on planet Earth.”
And indeed they are.
Watch the video below to see the Cracker Barrel server’s emotional reaction to the tip. Isn’t this so heartwarming?
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
