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Uplifting News

Waitress Blessed With $1,200 Tip

There are many mixed opinions when it comes to tipping. But the reality is that many servers rely on tips to make a decent living, working hard to ensure customer satisfaction with each and every meal.But even the best of servers don’t expect their patrons to go above and beyond like this group of diners did one day in Georgia.The Holiday Time Uplifting Story James Deal / FacebookIt was December, and Janet Ballard was working the lunch shift at Cracker Barrel. She had been at the chain for more than a decade, so it was business as usual for the server when a group of 12 came in to eat. It was not, however, a routine meal for the patrons who came in that day.You see, the group had come into the eatery with the intention of spreading generosity. They were a bunch of church-going friends who wanted to lift someone up ahead of the holidays, and they had hatched a plan.In what James Deal described in a Facebook post as the “1st Annual 100 dollar breakfast,” each of the 12 diners left Ballard a $100 tip at the end of the meal. In total, they pooled together $1,200 and put it in a card for their server.“I read the card, and it had scriptures on it, which let me know they were good people,” Ballard told Today. “They were very genuine individuals. They were total strangers.”The Surprise of a Lifetime Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash Ballard was shocked as she counted the money and was choked up by the time she reached $400. She couldn’t believe that these strangers had been so generous, and she grew more and more emotional as someone filmed her. “I don’t really like to cry with a camera in my face, but I didn’t even care at this point,” she recalled. “I had 12 total strangers saying, ‘Hey, we care enough about you because of how you made us feel while we were dining and we want to be a blessing to you and your family.'”According to Ballard, the money was an answer to her prayers. She had needed help paying her taxes and was stressed out about her car payment. With this money, she was able to pay down both.Paying It Forward Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash Deal and the rest of the group wanted to share their moment of giving in order to inspire others to do the same. That’s why they posted it on Facebook, where many weighed in on how nice it was to see such generosity, especially so close to the holidays. But social media users weren’t the only ones who were inspired.Ballard was so touched that she decided to use some of the money to help uplift others as well. After work, she went out for lunch and “blessed” her server with a large tip. Then she treated herself to a pedicure and gave the manicurist a large tip before the appointment began.“Because of the gift of love and caring and sharing I’m able to not only be a better Janet, but I am able to be an example for people this time of year who don’t have hope,” she added to Today.It's That Time of Year - Do the Unexpected! Photo by Dominic Kurniawan Suryaputra on Unsplash Sometimes it’s just nice to see good people receive nice things, especially when it comes as a surprise. That’s one reason this story went viral and why so many people have responded to it. It’s an inspiring tale that reminds us to try and do something nice and unexpected for others in our own walks of life.It can be something small, like shoveling snow for a neighbor or baking someone you love a treat. Or it can be a larger, more organized thing, like a group of friends pooling extra money together for a life-changing gift to a stranger.Whatever you decide to do to uplift someone else, there’s no time like the present. With the holidays here, there are plenty of people out there who could use a little boost of joy.More from Goalcast:Shaq Visits His Favorite Restaurant With an Unusual Request – Then, He Shocks the Watchful Owner With a SurpriseExhausted Dad of 4 Doesn’t Notice a Stranger Watching Him Closely at Work – Is Shocked When He Finds This Note on a Bill Teen Waitress Loses Both Parents—Then She Gets a Surprise Tip That Changes Her Life

Elderly woman looking shocked and a stranger speaking to a 75-year-old woman with glasses.
Uplifting News

Homeless 75-Year-Old Gives Her Food To a Stranger - So, He Completely Changes Her Life

For the past nine years, 75-year-old Linda Witt-King has been living on the streets of Costa Mesa, California. But that all changed with one chance encounter...and now, thanks to her simple act of kindness and the power of social media, she has a place she can finally call HOME.

Teen speaking at her graduation ceremony and a man wearing a lime green jacket
Uplifting News

Teen Wins $40K Scholarship - Decides to Give It All Back For This Reason

Getting an education and strong grades are definitely important, and those values were certainly ones that a teen named Verda Annan grew up with. But she was also raised to understand the importance of community and giving back, so when she saw an opportunity to make an incredible difference in someone else’s life, she rose to the occasion.

Little boy choosing between a bouquet of flowers and a Batman toy and a father hugging his son.
Stories

Stranger Finds Poor Child Selling Gum - Tests Him With 2 Choices

The young boy is weaving through people, leading the man behind the camera a couple of short blocks away. "Hey buddy, are we there yet?" asks the man impatiently."Yes, it's here," replies the boy.What the boy reveals is so shocking, his father soon gets involved and the lives of all three are forever changed.

Man in a checked shirt and security camera footage of a boy speaking to an older man.
Uplifting News

Boy Gives His Only Dollar to a Homeless Man - Is Shocked to Learn His True Identity

Friendships can spark in the least likely places. But when one nine-year-old boy tried to do a good deed on a Good Friday, it was the start of a friendship no one saw coming.

Man speaking on the phone and crying a young man wearing a hoodie and wearing a backpack
Uplifting News

Fortnite Player Calls Mom and Makes Shocking Announcement on Livestream

Any parent who tells their kids that gaming doesn't pay may want to think again. A professional gamer, Aydan Conrad, surprised his mom by paying off her college loans. And she's got his gaming habit to thank for it.

Christian Bale Learns Something Shocking Following His Daughters Birth - This Inspires Him to Take Action
Uplifting News

Christian Bale Learns Something Shocking Following His Daughters Birth - This Inspires Him to Take Action

We often hear about actors’ high salaries and lavish lifestyles or follow them on social media as they hock brands and products they love. But celebrities can also give back in meaningful ways, using their money and platforms to inspire real change.That’s exactly what Batman, a.k.a. Christian Bale, decided to do with his privilege after he learned about the number of foster children living in California.A Big DreamFollowing the birth of his daughter Luka in 2005, Bale began to think about how her life would be affected if he and his wife, Sibi, weren’t around. It led him to learn more about the foster care system in California, and he was shocked to learn that the state has the largest number of foster kids in the country.Not only that, but Bale discovered that many siblings who go into the foster care system are forced to separate and are unable to grow up together. He and Sibi knew they wanted to create some good and inspire change, and learning about these circumstances inspired the couple.Bale decided to create a village where foster siblings could stay and grow up together.“Imagine the absolute pain and the trauma of losing your parents or being torn from your parents, and then losing your brothers and sisters on top of that. That’s no way to treat kids — and so, we will be the hub for that,” Bale told The Hollywood Reporter.A Plan in ActionBale decided to create this village 16 years ago, but crews finally broke ground on the location earlier this year. To get this far, Bale teamed with the non-profit Together California and found a location near McAdam Park in Palmdale, LA.“I had the very unrealistic idea that within one year I’d have created a miniature Sound of Music with kids singing on hills in an endlessly joyful environment,” Bale explained.“But I discovered no, it takes an awful long time and really well-motivated people. It’s complicated and tough to help kids,” he continued. “It should be a hell of a lot easier than it was, but I didn’t flinch for one second.”“I would have done it all if it was just me by myself here,” Bale added to The Associated Press. “It's way more complex. These are people's lives. And we need to be able to have them land on their feet when they age out. There's so much involved in this.”Once complete, the village will consist of 12 three-bedroom townhomes, each capable of housing six children. A full-time professionally trained foster parent will live in each one to offer care and support.There will also be a 7,000-square-foot community center for programs and services and studio apartments for family visits. The apartments will also serve as transitional housing for children who are aging out of foster care.“I hope that this village will be the first of many, and I hope that people, Californians and Angelenos, know to come join us in opening our eyes to what’s happening right under our noses,” Bale added to The Hollywood Reporter. “These are our children, and we must help our children.”Doing Our PartIt’s inspiring to hear about actors, sports stars, and other celebrities giving back, especially since they tend to have more money and followers who can make a big difference. However, their actions also remind us that anyone can — and should — give back when they can.Giving back doesn’t have to look like building a village for foster children. It can be volunteering at a center or with a cause that matters to you. Or, it can be even smaller acts, like donating extra food, making drop-offs at a local charity, or participating in a fundraiser.Or, if you are in a position to do more, consider fostering a child or getting involved. There are more than 400,000 children in the U.S. foster care system who are in need of a loving parent, and plenty of organizations, like Foster America, that are committed to making a difference through education and volunteerism.No matter how you help out, giving back to the community enriches your life and allows you to connect with others in deep and meaningful ways.More from Goalcast:10-Year-Old Nobody Wanted to Adopt Is Sent to Live With Foster Family – This Would Completely Change Both Their Lives11-Year-Old Foster Girl Sent to Principal’s Office for Fighting – Little Did She Know What Was Going to Happen NextChristian Bale: Get More Satisfaction Out Of Your Work

Customer Walks Into Business and Demands a $1000 Hamburger - The Owner Refuses and Does This Instead
Uplifting News

Customer Walks Into Business and Demands a $1000 Hamburger - The Owner Refuses and Does This Instead

It goes without saying that after the COVID-19 pandemic everyone was hit hard. But some of the people who were hit the hardest were small business owners.In the early pandemic, over 700,000 independent American businesses shut down. Even though the figures are heartbreaking...there's one small business owner out there who's giving us hope!In the small town of Windsor, Ontario, Taystee Grill made it through the pandemic.But instead of hoarding their resources, the team at Taystee Grill are inviting others who are not-so-fortunate to join them on the other side — one hamburger at a time.With the help of one crazy customer, Taystee Grill put their money where their mouths were — literally.What's even better? They caught the whole thing on camera.A Stranger Demanded a “$1000 Hamburger”@mdmotivator/TikTokIt was business as usual at Taystee Grill, when a strange customer came in making an even stranger request."Can I have a $1,000 Hamburger?" Zachery DereniowskiWith hamburgers priced at under $10, the female employee manning the burger counter didn't understand this customer's question."Don't worry about it," she insisted, declining this customer's crazy offer. But he didn't seem satisfied.She didn't know what else to say to keep this customer happy. So she simply suggested the gentleman check out their (reasonably priced) menu. But this was one customer who wouldn't let up!The customer continued asking for $1,000 hamburger. When he could see he wasn't getting anywhere with her, he switched up his strategy. Instead, he asked if the owner of the restaurant was around. Not sure how else to deal with this customer, the Taystee Grill employee called in her boss, Haissam Chouman — and you won't believe what happened next.So, see for yourself because the entire bizarre exchange was caught on camera!Watch Taystee Grill's Video:He Made Them an Offer They Couldn’t RefuseYes. As it turns out, the "strange customer" was none other than Zachery Dereniowski, otherwise known as @mdmotivator. For those who aren't familiar with his "body of work," Dereniowski is an internet celebrity who made his fame off of giving others his fortune! His instagram bio simply reads: "kindness is cool" — and he's not wrong.He Was a Man With a PlanWhen he walked into Taystee Grill, Dereniowski wanted to hit two birds with one stone. He wanted to give an independent restaurant a little unforeseen boost of $1000 in under 10 minutes — and he wanted to take those burgers to feed the homeless.But Taystee Grill owner, Haissam Chouman refused. He wouldn't accept the $1,000. What he did instead, was so much better.Together, They Went to Feed the HomelessIn a twist, @mdmotivator didn't see coming — his money was no good at Taystee Grill. Chouman was so inspired by his act of goodwill, he agreed to make 100 hamburgers for free. Not only that, but Chouman decided he would take the rest of the day off, to help Dereniowski feed the streets."There is a lot of people who need help. We feed people — me and you." Haissam Chouman, Owner of Tasytee GrillIn a beautiful act of conjoined kindness, Chouman and Dereniowski hit the streets together, to hand out burgers to those in need of a hot bite to eat.The video went viral and the comment section blew up. "This is Taystee Grill in Windsor. SUPPORT THEM ❤️" is just one comment (written by @r.a.n.n.a.e) that racked up 84K likes!Haissam Chouman's local community couldn't have been more proud of their neighbor and they wanted the world to know it!His Message to the World Is a Message for Us All@mdmotivator/TikTokWhile they prepared the food, Dereniowski asked Chouman one important question. He asked him if he had a "message for the world."And Chouman's answer didn't disappoint."Just live together. No war. Nothing. Everybody love each other. Live together. Love is the best."Haissam Chouman, Owner of Taystee GrillSure, it may sound like a simple philosophy, but it's obviously effective. His soft-hearted words aren't just words, they are a way of life. And he's practicing what he preaches! It's a gentle reminder that we should all do the same.More from Goalcast:

Popular Jock Defends Bullied Girl in Exchange for Homework - Years Later, He Shows Up With a Shocking Offer
Uplifting News

Popular Jock Defends Bullied Girl in Exchange for Homework - Years Later, He Shows Up With a Shocking Offer

*Featured image contains photo by RDNE Stock project and PixabayFor a lot of teenagers, high school is a battlefield. It's not just a place of education; it's a microcosm of society where social dynamics reign supreme, bullies rule, and the struggle for acceptance and belonging can feel like a war zone.One Redditor who goes by u/pasanquecosas knows this only too well. Now 29, her high school experience was far from idyllic. That is until she struck a deal with her popular classmate. In exchange for doing his homework, he defended her against her bullies. It was a win-win.She found peace and he found a transcript littered with good grades. But that's not all he found. He went on to become wildly successful (and RICH). And while @pananquecosas may have forgotten about him, he never forgot about her. Recently, he messaged her on Instagram to say "thank you" for giving him a leg up all those years ago. And to pay her back? He offered to buy her a car. AND a house. A Ghost From the Past Comes Forward With a Gift for the FutureIn a Reddit post that has gone viral, @pasanquecosas shares her story, explaining that when she was in high school she was a magnet for bullies due to having cerebral palsy, walking with crutches, and being a self-professed "nerd.""One year they mixed us so I had new classmates. The bullying was worse but then one of the popular guys would defend me. At first, I was confused but when I saw that he would leave me his notebooks I understood," she writes."And so began our symbiotic (?) relationship. The bullying stopped and I would make his homework every day. We never talked about it, and whenever he spoke to me he sounded angry."@pasanquecosas via RedditThis continued for three years until they both graduated and went their separate ways. They never spoke again. Until out of the blue, he slid into her DMs. "But then a week ago he reached out on Instagram. He told me how good life had been for him, he offered to buy me a house and a car. At first, I thought it was a scam but we made video calls, he showed me things and it’s legit," she writes.Turns out, Mr. Popularity is now a "successful businessman worth millions living abroad." Woman Refuses Former Classmate's OfferThe guy I did homework for in high school reached out and now wants to buy me a house byu/pasanquecosas inTrueOffMyChestSurprisingly, @pasanquecosas refused his offers. Despite how difficult being disabled and a woman in her (unnamed) country can be, she's doing okay on her own.And then the phone rang. It was a medical center informing her that someone had paid for three years worth of physical therapy. Yup, Mr. P. Confused by what to do about his generosity, she decided to take to the Reddit community, "True Off My Chest," for guidance."I’m still ??????? cause I saw our relationship as purely transactional and now he comes and says he owes me????? im so confused."She also added the comment, "It’s an amazing gesture but I don’t really feel like I did something worthy of such gratitude."While she may have been confused, more than 500 commenters weren't. Almost all of them encouraged her to take him up on his offers.Paying It Backwards A week after writing the first Reddit post, @pasanquecosas added a follow-up post. "We did another video call where I explained to him why I was hesitant to accept and told him all my doubts and fears about the whole ordeal," she writes."He also opened up to me and told me some sensitive stuff, which I would’ve never imagined. At the end we agreed that he would finish paying the car I had just started paying through credit. And also we found a little nice apartment in a good zone where I could be more comfortable."Her lawyer is currently working on the paperwork. She adds that despite their mutual gratitude, this isn't the start of an amazing friendship. Some things are best left in the past. "I feel like this closed a chapter in my life and I think it’s the same for him. I don’t think we’ll ever talk again, nor do I think we are friends. He truly lives in another world and our realities are not compatible."Sometimes We Have No Idea of the Impact We Have on Others@Pasanquecosas admits that it wasn't until Mr. P reached out to her that she stopped to think about how their arrangement positively impacted her own life. In her mind, it was just a mutually beneficial contract.Doing his homework was a means to an end; a way to survive high school. It was a standard case of, "If you'll scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."In Mr.P's mind, however, it was so much more. It not only helped set him on the path to success but it made such a massive impact that it drove him to seek her out years later so he could repay her WITH A HOUSE.Oftentimes, we don't realize how our small day-to-day actions can affect others. And what may seem fairly insignificant to us? May hold significant meaning for someone else. More from Goalcast:Teacher Hand Delivers Free Lunches to His Students at Their House – But That Wasn’t All He BroughtStranger Shows Up at Woman’s House in the Middle of the Night – Her Doorbell Camera Catches the Entire Exchange8-Year-Old Loses All His Toys in a House Fire – Little Did He Know His Classmates and Teachers Had a Secret

Mom Visits Store to Buy Diapers for Her Baby - Finds a Letter That Shocks Her
Uplifting News

Mom Visits Store to Buy Diapers for Her Baby - Finds a Letter That Shocks Her

*Featured image contains photo by Craig AdderleyWhat happens is so shocking, that she goes online in a frantic attempt to find out who is behind it.The Crushing Cost of ParenthoodPhoto by Nicola BartsRaising a child is pricey business, and the cost is only rising.As per CBS, "The cost of raising a child from birth to age 17 will set you back by about $310,000." It's pushed more and more families into homelessness. One of the biggest infant expenses is diapers -- and lots of them. So when Brisbane native Michelle Patricia Bennett is strolling down the aisle at Woolworth's to buy some for her baby one day, she's price-watching. After all, she doesn't want any surprises. Fast forward a couple of days later. Bennett recalls that she was "having a day at home just trying to catch up on the mountains of housework," when a surprise is exactly what she gets. A Stunning Surprise From Aisle 5Photo by Eduardo SoaresThat's because, as she opens up the box of diapers, she discovers something else inside. It's a five-dollar bill -- with a note. What it reads gives her the motivation to share her experience online and it quickly goes viral.Bennett's post is titled 'My Wealthy Wednesday.' "To the kind person that has done this, thank you!!! It is such a wonderful gesture and certainly brought a smile to my face," she writes.She includes a picture of the note which reads:If you having a tough day, I thought maybe I can brighten it up with this little surprise. Go buy a coffee or a scratch ticket. Practice some self-care today. Always remember you are much loved and you are amazing :)Bennett continues, "I'll definitely get a coffee or a scratchy soon."The story had the internet gushing with awestruck comments. "Oh, that's so sweet," posted one woman. "So nice of someone to do such a thing. Lovely little surprise -- a little bit of kindness goes a long way.""This is absolutely beautiful," added another. How a Mother Reminds Us That the Small Things MatterIt doesn't take an economist to know that it's not just parents who are feeling the financial crunch. Per Business Insider, "bankruptcies, foreclosures, and other money problems like car repossessions and loan defaults" have consumer stress levels the highest in four years. While the struggle is real, it's no match for kindness. Among the quotes on kindness, one by Abraham Lincoln reads, " Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out." It might be a little legal leniency for a single mother, making a waitress's wish come true or repaying a treasured teacher. No matter the situation, through all of life's waves and ripples, kindness endures. Let's all keep that close to heart the next time we're in a bind.More from Goalcast:Single Mom’s Biggest Fear Is Regarding Her 14-Year-Old Son – So His Teacher Makes Her an OfferSingle Mom’s Driveway Is “Stolen” in Broad Daylight – Then a Stranger Makes an Offer She Can’t RefuseBoy Suddenly Goes Missing During Routine Walmart Trip – His Mom Finds Him in an Unlikely Place