“God loves cheerful givers and He will bless them abundantly." ~ 2 Corinthians 9:8
Liz’s night started out like many
others. The 24-year-old was waiting
tables on the night-shift at a New Jersey diner. As dawn brought new light, two firefighters
stumbled into the café, their energy drained from exhaustion. They’d just finished 15-hour shifts battling
a hazardous warehouse fire.
Hearing their weary conversation, Liz decided to pay them
back for their efforts. She wrote a note
on the back of the check:
“Your
breakfast is on me today. Thank you for
all that you do; for serving others and running into places that others run away
from. No matter what your role, you are
courageous, brave and strong. Thank you
for being bold and badass every day.”
Liz's life would forever change based on that single act of
kindness towards two strangers.
Determined to help the kind waitress who’d comped their meal,
fireman Tim shared a photo of the check on social media with a call for their
friends to visit the diner:
“Turns out, the young lady who gave us a free meal is really the one that could use the
help. And if Liz is your waitress … tip
(Liz) BIG!”
But Tim didn't stop there. He added another post referencing a GoFundMe
campaign that Liz had started months earlier to buy a wheelchair-accessible van
for her Dad. No one expected him to
walk again, but a specialized vehicle would significantly improve his quality
of life.
Her campaign had limped along toward its $80,000 goal –
perhaps more an elusive dream than reality.
But Tim’s post made a huge impact for his former colleague, bringing great
exposure to the page. Donations poured
in, soon reaching Liz’s original goal. After
years of hardship, Liz’s family had reason to smile.
Liz started shopping for the perfect van. Before she could even make a purchase however,
a company called Mobility Ventures offered to DONATE a brand new MV-1, one the
hottest vehicles on the market at the time.
The exchange between Liz and the firemen had inspired their gift. and were inspired to donate, Liz was moved to
tears by the donation, but goodies kept rolling in.
Even Ellen Degeneres got into the act - agreeing to pay for
all the firemen's meals at the diner for 5 years before presenting Liz with a
check for $20,000.
"Look for those opportunities because they’re
everywhere, said a grateful Liz. “You
can make a difference -- it doesn't have to be an elaborate production or
effort - it's always the little things that have the greatest impact."
