Good Deeds

We’re all in this together.

It’s the refrain we’ve heard over and over, from the neighbour you follow on Instagram to the most powerful politicians in the world.

And the fact is, it’s true. As the coronavirus pandemic has seized the collective consciousness and kept us all (hopefully) in our homes, it’s clear that every Canadian is affected. And moreover, that we need to rely on each other more than ever to get by, whether that’s (paradoxically) staying away from each other or lending a hand whenever we can.

 

Customer Leaves Entire $1,200 Stimulus Check as Generous Tip for Family-Owned Restaurant

 

 

 

 

Like so many small businesses being forced to adapt to social restrictions amidst the novel coronavirus shutdowns, this Arkansas steakhouse has been struggling to make ends meet—but thankfully, one of their regular customers gave them a much-appreciated financial windfall.

Despite the difficulties of remaining open during the COVID-19 shutdowns, the Colonial Steakhouse restaurant in Pine Bluff has managed to stay open by maintaining a team of four employees to offer curbside pickup for three days of the week.

Last week, one of the restaurant’s regular customers decided to leave a hefty tip for their takeout order—and the staffers were stunned by the amount.

The customer tipped the Colonial Steakhouse $1,200—which was the customer’s entire stimulus check issued by the federal government to relieve the financial burden of the pandemic.

“We just started crying and thanking God because it came at a time that most of our staff really needed it,” said manager Allison Hall.

Hall went on to say that times have been tough on the restaurant and they were elated to be on the receiving end of such a generous gesture.

 

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Tina from Washington

“I decided to order takeout to do my little part to help support local restaurants. I ordered through DoorDash. Unfortunately, no driver ever showed up to the restaurant to make the delivery. I called the restaurant and offered to pay for the food and have the owner take the food for his own family. I explained that I didn’t need the food but had ordered it just to support his restaurant. He was having none of that. He insisted on bringing the food to me himself after the restaurant closed. And he did just that ... and more. When I looked through my order, there was something extra. It was sticky rice with sliced mango around it, like a flower. There was a note in marker scrawled on the top of the box that said, ‘Thank you so much for your support. :)’”

 

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 Stephanie  

New York

“A teenage boy in our church has been struggling with a brain tumor. He cannot have visitors, obviously. The members of our church and his friends in the community decided to show him love and support last night by doing a ‘drive-by.’ Hundreds of cars drove slowly past his house tooting their horns. How encouraging that we can still find creative ways to reach out to each other!”

 

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Maureen

Conneticut

My friend Heather texted me to check in. She manages a local Starbucks and asked if we could use some coffee. As parents of two young girls (2 and 4) trying to work from home for the first time, of course we needed coffee! She asked about our preferences and promised to drop off a pound of freshly ground coffee that afternoon. When I opened the door to her package, I found not just coffee, but a ‘self-isolation survival kit’ complete with activities for the kids, a mini daffodil plant, a bottle of wine, scratch-off lottery tickets and other treats. I was so grateful, I teared up. It felt like a big, warm hug to know that someone had thought about our whole family and was taking care of us.”

 

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Barb and Dale

Kitchener Ontario

Barb and Dale's great-grandson had to spend his fifth birthday confined to his high-rise apartment. His dad had a friend at the local fire department and asked him if he could arrange to have a fire truck come to the building and drive around the large circle in front, with the siren going. Apparently, the little boy was enamoured of fire fighters and their trucks. A fire truck arrived with lights flashing and sirens blaring on the day, followed by a long line of cars filled with family members honking and waving. The parade made the circuit out front several times to the absolute delight of the little boy. He will remember that birthday for the rest of his life.

 

You may think these good deeds are not so very noteworthy, but you would be wrong. They prove that ordinary people can be extraordinary. They can be caring, compassionate, kind and have enough love for fellow humans to share, generously.

 Stay safe and stay well, Shadow