In today’s world, it’s no wonder so many people have to work tirelessly just to get by. You’ve likely heard about those who seem to take advantage of the system—those few who manage to coast through life, relying on the generosity of others without putting in much effort. Yet, for every one of those so-called “freeloaders,” there are countless honest, hardworking individuals who consistently put in the hours to make ends meet. Even if they face financial struggles, they show up every day, doing everything they can to support themselves.
According to reports, Bethany Provencher is one such person. A dedicated single mom to an 11-year-old son, she made a fresh start by moving to St. Charles, Illinois, after spending 18 years in Miami. Bethany secured a lease for a new apartment in The Magic City and landed a job at a local IHOP, thanks to her 25 years of experience in customer service. Despite her hard work, she knew money would be tight for a while—she hadn’t even been able to properly furnish her new apartment.
Then, just before the turn of the year, a celebrity couple walked into the IHOP where Bethany worked and sat in her section. She quickly recognized the man as none other than singer-songwriter Donnie Wahlberg, who was there with his wife, Jenny McCarthy. Reportedly, Bethany was ecstatic to be serving him, as she had always been a huge fan of New Kids on the Block and had a special admiration for Donnie. Little did she know that this encounter would profoundly change her life.
After finishing their meal, Donnie and his family settled a $35.27 bill. On the receipt, Donnie had left a handwritten note for Bethany next to a doodled smiley face that read: “Thanks, Bethany, Happy New Year. 2020 Tip Challenge.”
Reportedly, he asked Bethany not to open the receipt until after he and his wife had left the IHOP. When she eventually did, she was completely astonished to discover that Donnie had tipped her and her coworkers a whopping $2,020!