When the check arrives at the end of a meal, most diners scribble down the standard twenty-percent tip and push in their chairs. But every now and then, someone chooses to go a step further—turning an ordinary dinner into an unforgettable act of kindness.

The idea began circulating a few years ago, sparked by social media videos of groups leaving large tips for their servers during the holiday season. White House resident Dana George was inspired. “The basic idea was for everybody to bring a hundred-dollar tip,” she explained. After watching those videos, Dana knew she wanted to bless someone in her own community—starting with her favorite local restaurant, All Seasons Sports Grill.

Since moving to the area in 2011, Dana and her children have thrived in the community. Her kids attended Heritage schools, and as a supportive mom, Dana stayed actively involved in sports and church activities. “No matter where I’ve lived, I’ve always tried to give back,” she shared. Through her work with Metro, she’s also been able to support families working to rebuild their lives after struggles with drug abuse.

Dana understands firsthand the power of community support. In 2018, she received a cancer diagnosis—and was immediately surrounded by encouragement. “Being in the community, I mean, they rallied around me,” she recalled.

That same spirit of togetherness inspired her to bring the tipping idea to life. “I posted two years ago trying to get some traction on it—and it did—but we could never find a date,” Dana explained. “This year, I decided I was just going to pick a date, and whoever could come would.”

When the day arrived, people showed up. Seven participants gathered around the table—not just family and friends, but a few strangers as well. “It was fun because most of the group didn’t know each other very well,” Dana said. What began as a plan to bless a server also became a chance for neighbors to connect over a shared meal.

At the end of the night, the group presented their server with a $700 tip—one hundred dollars from each person at the table. The reaction was instant and emotional. “His eyes got really wide, and he goes, ‘Oh my gosh, are you serious?’” Dana said.

The impact reached far beyond the server. “A couple of people who were there said they’d never been involved in anything like that before,” Dana recalled. “It just made us all feel warm.”

When it comes to serving others, Dana keeps a favorite quote close to her heart: “If you’re blessed, build a longer table, not a taller fence.” She hopes people remember that kindness doesn’t always have to be monetary. “Just look out for your fellow person,” she said. “They could be about to fall apart.”

As for the future, Dana says this won’t be the last time. She plans to continue organizing these gatherings and spreading kindness wherever she can. “Just helping anybody out or blessing someone makes me happy,” she shared—adding more seats to a growing table of community and compassion.