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Restaurant Servers Receive $2,020 Tips Due to 2020 Tip Challenge

You've heard of paying-it-forward at Starbucks (You know when you pay for the person behind you and create a chain) but that's nothing compared to this new challenge that is making the rounds on Twitter. Deemed the 2020 Tip Challenge, people are helping service workers celebrate a happy new year with a $2020 tip. Some are tipping $20.20, others $202.00, and some are changing lives with their $2020 tips.

The 2020 Tip Challenge

While waiting tables at Thunder Bay River Restaurant in Alpena, Michigan, server Danielle Franzoni received the gift of the year, a $2020 tip on a $23 meal. The single mother couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the tip. "Things like this don't happen to people like me," she told the Alpena Times.

Danielle Franzoni recently moved to Alpena to start over after living in a homeless shelter. She also shared she was a recovering addict.

With the money, she plans to reinstate her driver's license and build savings for her and her children.

Danielle Franzoni wasn't the only benefactor in the 2020 tip challenge. Actor Donnie Wahlberg and wife Jenny McCarthy (now Jenny McC-Wahlberg) were visiting St. Charles, Illinois on New Year's Day and decided to take part in giving back. The couple stopped at IHOP to eat and when the bill came around, Donnie signed a $2020 tip to the IHOP server.

I'm inspired. The next time I go out to eat this week I'll keep the 2020 tip challenge in mind. While I can't give the same amount as Donnie and Jenny, I can give a few extra dollars that could make a difference to someone.

Giving doesn't always have to be in the form of cash. Write inspirational letters to your dearest friends and personally deliver them. Spend an hour volunteering. Let's make 2020 the year of giving back.

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