Donnie Wahlberg hands single mom jaw-dropping tip at IHOP – tells her “open it when we leave”

It should come as no surprise that a large number of individuals have to work themselves to the bone in order to make ends meet, given the state of the world today.

You’ve probably heard a lot about people who attempt to take advantage of the system—the select few who appear to be able to get by on the compassion of others and manage to survive without working.

However, for every “freeloader,” there are hundreds of sincere, practical people who work hard to make ends meet. Even though they may be struggling financially, some of these folks continue to work as many hours as they can to support themselves on a daily basis.

If information is to be believed, one such person is Bethany Provencher. After spending eighteen years in Miami, the diligent single mother of an eleven-year-old kid relocated to St. Charles, Illinois, a few years ago in search of a new beginning.

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Bethany signed a lease for a new apartment in The Magic City, and was able to secure a job at a local IHOP thanks to her 25 years in the customer service industry.

Even so, she knew times were set to be tight for a while – by all accounts, she hadn’t been able to furnish her new apartment properly for lack of funds.

Then, one day close to the turn of the year, a celebrity couple strolled into the IHOP where Bethany was working and sat down in her section of the restaurant.

Bethany quickly recognized the man as none other than singer-songwriter Donnie Wahlberg, accompanied by his wife, Jenny McCarthy.

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 23: Actress Jenny McCarthy and actor/singer Donnie Wahlberg arrive at the 2014 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 23, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

As per reports, Bethany could hardly contain her excitement. New Kids on the Block, the band Donnie was in, was one of the waitresses favorites, and she had always had a special fondness for Donnie himself.

As a result, Bethany was over the moon to be serving him. What she didn’t know, was just how much of an impact that day was set to have on her life.

When Donnie and his family had finished their lunch, the singer paid their $35.27 check, and left a message for Bethany to read on the receipt. Beside a hand-drawn smiley face, it read: “Thanks, Bethany, Happy New Year2020 Tip Challenge.”

Donnie reportedly asked Bethany not to open the receipt until he and his wife had left the IHOP. Bethany did as she was...