Waitress gets $1,000 tip from stranger

When a couple left a huge tip on the table at Roanoke restaurant, their waitress figured it had to be a joke. They left $1,000 to cover a bill of $26.35. With it was a note saying "Keep the change! Have a great day."

The gift left waitress Amanda Newkirk teary with excitement. But the 19-year-old, who's seven months pregnant, couldn't figure out why she'd been given such a generous tip -- 10 $100 bills.

A couple of days later, she got her answer. A 28-year-old widow called Newkirk's boss to say she'd and her fiancé had left the tip because she "didn't need it," and wanted to give it to someone who did.

Erin Dogan said she's a shopaholic and could have easily spent the money at a mall. She said giving the money to Newkirk made her feel "phenomenal." Dogan said she's been going through a tough time since her husband died last year and she felt compelled to help someone.

Both women say the action has changed their lives. Newkirk plans to use some of the money to help pay for medical bills related to her pregnancy.

After a lot of bickering and deliberation between my roommates and myself- we figured out that putting $1,000 on a $26 bill is around a 3750%. Damn. Yeah- uh- so can I help Erin Dogan with her shopaholic problem?! I’d gladly take any money she needs to ‘therapeutically donate’ to random people. Talk about this waitress’s lucky day.Article here.