A $40 tip from a concerned Eat’n Park diner has started a quickly growing retirement fund for an 81-year-old waitress.
In an Instagram video, Tamie Konzier, 41, of Millvale, who works as an esthetician at Bloom Beauty Parlor in East Liberty, was with her son, Leo, 10, at an Eat’n Park on McKnight Road on Wednesday when she noticed that their waitress, only known as Betty, “can hardly walk.”
Konzier said she overheard Betty tell customers at another table that she has to keep working because she gets only $910 per month on Social Security, and it’s not enough to pay her bills.
“I have $40 in my purse so that’s what I’m going to leave her for a tip,” Konzier said in her video.
As of about 1 p.m. Thursday, Konzier’s GoFundMe campaign, created Wednesday, was nearing $140,000 from 6,500 donations.
At the restaurant, Konzier guessed Betty was in her 70s, and was astonished when Betty told her she’s 81.
“Oh my goodness! You look great!” Konzier says.
“I mean I worked all my life as a waitress and still can’t retire,” an unseen Betty tells her in the video.
Despite her apparent mobility issues, Betty says she’s still spry.
“I can still outdo these young whippersnappers,” she says, then offers some sage advice in parting.
“Take care and enjoy life because it will go by you fast.”