Pub 500 server in Mankato received $500 tip from 3 women who wanted to pay it forward

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - A Pub 500 server in Mankato received an unexpected gift on Wednesday in the form of a massive tip.

What started out as an average Wednesday for Pub 500 server Lexxi Pickell, was actually a plot for three ladies to pay it forward.

One of the women giving the gift, Beth Milbrett said, “We were just saying, my heart grows when you can help someone else.” That someone else, in this case, was someone who could really use the help.

Pub 500 part-owner Bailee Whiteman said, “[Lexxi] been here for a while with us and has been going through a little bit of a hard time and she’s just always so great coming in. Always a really good attitude, she’s a phenomenal server.”

Just by watching Pickell move about, you can see she moves with her customers in mind.

Whiteman said, “That’s really what [she] genuinely loves to do is being with the customers, having conversation, that’s what we look for and what people love.”

With servers’ income reliant on their tips, an act like this carries a lot of emotion.

Each woman handed Pickell a $100 bill totaling to $500 and Pickell couldn’t contain her emotion. But through it all, Pickell’s focus was still on her customers.

Pickell said, “You know money is just paper, but it does make the world go round and it makes my life a lot easier. So, I really do appreciate that a lot more than you know.”

These ladies wanted to share the story to inspire giving any way people can this holiday season.

Milbrett said, “You know what, go knock on your neighbor’s door and check in on them, see how they’re doing. Give your friend a phone call and just say ‘I haven’t talked to you in like six months. I just really want to see how you’re doing.’”

They say giving doesn’t have to be financial. It can be with your time, your treasure or your talents.

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