New Jersey IHOP waitress surprised with $1,200 cash tip

NJ diners leave $1,200 tip for IHOP waitress

A group of New Jersey diners surprised an IHOP waitress with a $1,200 cash tip as an early holiday gift.

PATERSON, N.J. - Nearly a dozen people surprised a New Jersey waitress with a $1,200 cash tip as an early holiday gift.

Zellie Thomas told NJ.com that he and a group of his friends left the tip with a waitress at an IHOP restaurant in Paterson on Saturday. Each person brought $100 to the restaurant.

The waitress was so shocked that she tried to return the money at first, said Thomas.

New Jersey diners give $1,200 tip to IHOP waitress

A group of friends left the $1,200 tip with a waitress at a New Jersey IHOP on Saturday.

Thomas, who is an activist and teacher, said he hopes the tip inspires others to do good deeds for strangers.

“I really hope this shows people that there’s power in community and all it takes is a group of friends to come together and change someone else’s life," Thomas said. "You’d be really surprised, if you put that call out to your friends, how many people would be supportive of that idea.”

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