'$1,000 is big money:' After couple left large tip for single mother working 3 jobs, she chose to pay it forward
NASHVILLE, Ind. -- What would you do if you got a $1,000 tip? A single mother and bartender received the tip from a couple staying at the hotel where she works as they celebrated their wedding anniversary, and she, in turn, decided to pay it forward.
According to WXIN, Anna Hofstetter said it was a slow Saturday night when she struck up a conversation with the couple. She told them she's a single mother who works three jobs to support her two children.
That's what one single mom in Brown County had to decide. Anna Hofstetter is a bartender at Hotel Nashville and she said a couple staying at the hotel to celebrate their wedding anniversary gave it to her.
"They sat at a little table near the door, and they said they got married at the Hotel Nashville seven years ago," Hofstetter told FOX59.
She said they ordered long island iced teas, a crab artichoke appetizer and the dinner special. Their check came out to $32.40. When Hofstetter picked up the receipt, she saw they wrote $1,000 in the tip column. There was also a message saying: "Give something for kids."
"I said 'thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me,'" said Hofstetter.
There are a lot of things she could've done with the money. She could have used it for her kids' birthdays, their college fund or to pay off her student loans.
A few days later, she had another idea after bumping into Clara Stanley. Stanley and another group of kids are collecting money to build a skate and teen park in Brown County, Indiana. They hope to build it at Deer Run Park. The county still needs to approve the plans. The kids created a group called "Kids on Wheels" for their fundraising efforts.
"Brown County has been lacking a healthy, wonderful place for children," said Stanley, president of the Brown County Enrichment for Teens Association Inc. or BETA.
Hofstetter said she thought the project would make a lasting impact, so she felt it was worth a $1,000 donation.
"I know Anna is doing a lot of working hours, single mom. $1,000 is big money," said Stanley.
Hofstetter said this donation will not only be for her kids, but also for all of the kids in the community.
According to WXIN, Kids on Wheels has already raised roughly $25,000 for the skate and teen park. Their fundraising goal is $120,000. They are getting some help through state grants. If they collect another $50,000 before Sept 22, they will receive a $50,000 matching grant from the state.
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