Patrons of the Harbor View Café in Charlevoix, Michigan got something strange with their meal last Wednesday.
In addition to being told their food, drink and gratuity were already paid for, they were asked to consider participating in their own act of benevolence.
“Someone who works for a local business owner just kind of came in on Monday (April 6) and presented the proposal,” said Harbor View Café owner Elizabeth Rich. “I thought it was a wonderful thing.”
The proposal was simple: The anonymous person or persons would reimburse Rich for all meals given throughout the business day of April 8.
On the bottom of each customer’s check, was printed the following: “Your meal and your server’s gratuity are the treat of an anonymous business owner today. All he asks is that you consider doing something kind and unexpected for someone else in the next week or perhaps take the money you would have spent there and contribute it or spend it elsewhere in our community. Thanks!”
The restaurant, located at 100 East Antrim St. in the Oleson’s Plaza, served more than 100 customers between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. that day.
Local resident Rachel Boss, who ate breakfast with a friend and her daughter, was shocked by the gesture.
“Not many people do these kinds of things these days,” she said. “It is very kind.”
Rich said the anonymous benefactor did something similar in another community, wherein he owns a business, with great success.
“One of our first customers just said ‘thanks’ and left a $20 bill on the table for the server,” she said.
The anonymous business owner paid nearly $900 to cover the cost of all the meals and tips.
“My whole dining room was full at lunchtime,” Rich said. “I did get some neat comments like ‘I hope it comes back to you 10 fold.’”
Other pleased patrons told Rich they were going to donate money to local schools and even help the family who were victims of a recent house fire.
While many speculated on just who the benefactor was, Rich said he wished to remain completely anonymous.
From: http://www.charlevoixcourier.com/articles/2009/04/14/news/doc49e487833abf5286515275.txt
In addition to being told their food, drink and gratuity were already paid for, they were asked to consider participating in their own act of benevolence.
“Someone who works for a local business owner just kind of came in on Monday (April 6) and presented the proposal,” said Harbor View Café owner Elizabeth Rich. “I thought it was a wonderful thing.”
The proposal was simple: The anonymous person or persons would reimburse Rich for all meals given throughout the business day of April 8.
On the bottom of each customer’s check, was printed the following: “Your meal and your server’s gratuity are the treat of an anonymous business owner today. All he asks is that you consider doing something kind and unexpected for someone else in the next week or perhaps take the money you would have spent there and contribute it or spend it elsewhere in our community. Thanks!”
The restaurant, located at 100 East Antrim St. in the Oleson’s Plaza, served more than 100 customers between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. that day.
Local resident Rachel Boss, who ate breakfast with a friend and her daughter, was shocked by the gesture.
“Not many people do these kinds of things these days,” she said. “It is very kind.”
Rich said the anonymous benefactor did something similar in another community, wherein he owns a business, with great success.
“One of our first customers just said ‘thanks’ and left a $20 bill on the table for the server,” she said.
The anonymous business owner paid nearly $900 to cover the cost of all the meals and tips.
“My whole dining room was full at lunchtime,” Rich said. “I did get some neat comments like ‘I hope it comes back to you 10 fold.’”
Other pleased patrons told Rich they were going to donate money to local schools and even help the family who were victims of a recent house fire.
While many speculated on just who the benefactor was, Rich said he wished to remain completely anonymous.
From: http://www.charlevoixcourier.com/articles/2009/04/14/news/doc49e487833abf5286515275.txt
1 comments:
What a fantastic story! More of these type things should be done.
We were at JCPenney last week and they have a "round up" program where you can round up your total purchase amount to the next hightst dollar and the difference is donated to a local charity. Painless and powerful.
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