Donnie Wahlberg gave a whopping $2020 tip to a waitress at the IHOP restaurant for a bill of $75.
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Donnie and his wife were at IHOP in St. Charles, Illinois to celebrate the new year.
Sharing a photo of the receipt on her Twitter account, Wahlberg’s wife Jenny McCarthy wrote: “@donniewahlberg starting 2020 off like the amazing man he is.”
Besides granting a handsome amount as a tip, Wahlberg also left a note for the female-server, Bethany Provencher, saying: “Thanks Bethany. 2020 Tip Challenge. Happy new year.”
In case you don’t know, the challenge refers to the new year trend which began when a waiter at Thunder Bay River Restaurant, Michigan, received an unbelievable tip of $2020 against a receipt of just $23.
When the actor gave the massive tip, the mom-of-one couldn’t believe her eyes.
Speaking about her reaction to the generous act, she told PEOPLE: “I’ve loved Donnie my whole life—I was a very big New Kids on the Block fan when I was a kid.
“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!’ I served them the best I could do.”
The lucky server said The Sixth Sense star had advised her not to open the receipt unless the couple had left.
She said: “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. I couldn’t believe it. I mean, who does that? It was a blessing.”
Speaking of how important the amount was for her and her little son, she said: “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.”
The Blue Bloods star also called the waitress later. Speaking of their telephonic conversation, the 37-year-old said: “Donnie called me at the restaurant and I spoke to him.
“I really wanted to thank him and Jenny because they don’t even understand what they did for me.”
She added: “God put him there for a reason for me, and I know that. It’s the greatest thing to ever happen in my life.”
For people who are thinking that Donnie helped the poor waitress for the sake of just fulfilling a trendy challenge, let us reveal that it wasn’t the first time the actor did so.
In 2017, the 50-year-old star left $500 for employees at Waffle House in Maryland, who worked night shifts. He also gave a considerable tip of $2,000 to Waffle House waiters in Charlotte.
Revealing the fact that compelled him to do such acts, the actor said at the time: “My mom waited tables, and my dad tended bars– for years!
“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!”
Replaced!