Donnie handed the receipt to single mom and waitress Bethany, telling her not to open it until he and his wife had left IHOP 😲🙏 When she unfolded the receipt, oh my god. Find the story in the comments

With the way the world is today, it’s hardly surprising that many people work their fingers to the bone just to get by. For every story about someone taking advantage of the system, there are hundreds of honest, hardworking folks striving to make ends meet—showing up day in, day out, taking on as many hours as possible to pay their way.

Bethany Provencher is one such person.

**A Fresh Start**

A hardworking single mom with an 11-year-old son, Bethany packed up their lives and moved from Miami to St. Charles, Illinois, for a fresh start. Thanks to her 25 years in customer service, she secured a job at a local IHOP. Still, times were tight—she hadn’t been able to properly furnish her new apartment due to lack of funds.

**A Celebrity Surprise**

Then one day, close to New Year’s, a celebrity couple walked into her IHOP and sat in her section: singer-songwriter Donnie Wahlberg and his wife, Jenny McCarthy.

Bethany could hardly contain her excitement. New Kids on the Block, Donnie’s band, was one of her favorites, and she’d always had a special fondness for Donnie himself. She was thrilled to serve him—but had no idea how much that day would impact her life.

**An Unforgettable Gesture**

When Donnie and his family finished their $35.27 lunch, he left a message on the receipt beside a hand-drawn smiley face: “Thanks, Bethany, Happy New Year. 2020 Tip Challenge.”

He asked Bethany not to open the receipt until after he left. When she finally did, she was absolutely stunned: Donnie had left her and her coworkers a tip of **$2,020**.

**A Life-Changing Act of Kindness**

What a beautiful gesture—one that surely went a long way for Bethany after her big move to Illinois. Acts of generosity like Donnie’s remind us that kindness can change lives, especially when directed toward those working hard to build better futures for themselves and their families.