But although she was overjoyed on the inside, she didn’t mention that she recognized them as celebrities. Bethany didn’t want to make them uncomfortable or create a spectacle — she simply wanted to do her job well.
The Receipt That Changed Everything
Only after the couple left did Bethany take a moment to look at the receipt. What she saw made her heart leap: on a bill that totaled around $78, someone had written a tip of $2,020 — and signed it with a personal message.
Scrawled on the receipt in bold handwriting were the words: “Thanks, Bethany. Happy New Year. 2020 Tip Challenge ”
At first Bethany couldn’t believe her eyes. She stared at the numbers in shock — the tip was over twenty‑five times the cost of the meal, a stunning display of generosity that took her breath away.
According to what she later told local reporters, she began crying right there in the restaurant, overwhelmed by the kindness and the timing of it all.
The phrase “2020 Tip Challenge” referenced a trend at the start of the new decade where people intentionally left tips that matched the year — things like $20.20, $202, or in extraordinary cases, $2,020 — as a way to inspire generosity and help servers start the year on a positive note.
Celebrity couples such as Wahlberg and McCarthy used it as a joyful way to encourage others to give back.
Bethany later said she almost fell to the floor when she finally read the message and the amount.
Why It Mattered More Than Money
To most observers, $2,020 is a large amount of money. But for Bethany, the tip represented far more than a number on paper.
At the time, she had just recently signed the lease on her new apartment but had no furniture, no dishes, and nowhere near enough savings to start furnishing her home.
The generous tip came at a moment when she truly needed it — not just to help pay the bills, but to turn an empty space into a real home for her and her son.
In local interviews, Bethany said the money would allow her to:
Furnish her living space — buying beds, a couch, kitchen tools, household essentials
Provide stability for her young son
“It was the greatest blessing I could’ve received from anyone,” she said — and she meant it.
She also shared a deeply personal reaction: the generosity restored a deeper sense of hope for her as she looked ahead. After weathering difficult times in the year prior, this act of kindness made her feel that “we’re going to be OK” — and that feeling was worth far more than the cash itself.
The Wider Impact of One Act
The story didn’t stay confined to the IHOP in St. Charles. After Jenny McCarthy posted a photo of the tip receipt to social media with the caption: “@DonnieWahlberg starting 2020 off like the amazing man he is. #ihop #2020tipchallenge,”
…the image quickly spread online. People around the world shared the receipt, praised the couple’s compassion, and talked about how simple acts of generosity can have lasting impact.
The hashtag #2020TipChallenge went viral for a short time, with many people inspired to leave bigger tips in restaurants or find creative ways to lift others up.
For Bethany personally, the attention created something even more meaningful: people from across the country reached out with words of encouragement, support, and shared stories of overcoming hardship.
Her experience became a reminder that kindness has the power to lift not just individual spirits, but entire communities.
A Moment to Remember — and Pass On
Today, Bethany’s surprise tip remains a story about more than generosity — it’s a narrative about empathy, timing, and the profound impact that one thoughtful act can have on a life.
From her long journey balancing motherhood, work, and relocation to her unexpected encounter with a celebrity couple, her experience illustrates the reality that sometimes, even a brief moment of human kindness can change everything.
It isn’t just about the money. It’s about being seen, being appreciated, and being reminded that you’re not alone.
And for those who have heard her story and shared it with friends and family, it’s an invitation — to look for moments where we, too, might choose generosity, compassion, or encouragement simply because it’s the right thing to do.
