Kentucky Man’s Dying Wish to Leave $500 Tip Explodes into Nearly $50,000 Phenomenon
- Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:35pm by
Erica Ritz
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(Photo: Facebook/Aaron's Last Wish)
As Seth Collins finished his penne pasta at a Lexington restaurant, he called over the waitress to fulfill his brother’s dying wish.
He explained to her that his 30-year-old brother Aaron recently passed away, but that he’d left instructions in his will to leave a $500 tip for a server.
“Leave an awesome tip,” Aaron Collins requested. “And I don’t mean 25%…I mean $500 on a f***ing pizza…for a waiter or waitress.”
The waitress, Chelsea Powell, took the money reluctantly and then smiled and said: “Are you kidding me?” adding as she teared up, “you have no idea…”
But this was not the first $500 tip, and it won’t be the last.
Though Aaron apparently had a generous heart, he didn’t have much money. After his death on July 7, his family set up a blog called Aaron’s Wish and a Facebook page to help with the donation. To their surprise, three weeks later, they had raised not $500, but roughly $50,000.
Here is video of the donation at Lexington Restaurant:
According to reports, the family didn’t even know Aaron had written a will when they found the document on his computer.
He left instructions on what to do with his motorcycle, his artwork, and to leave the “awesome” tip.
“It was the last thing in his will, that we do this, and it kind of took me by surprise to see that, and for that reason it kind of left a mark on me,” Seth Collins said shortly after leaving giving the $500 tip to Powell earlier this month.
Aaron Collins’ death was unexpected, according to his family. His brother said they are still awaiting a final determination on the cause, but a preliminary coroner’s report said strangulation somehow contributed to the death, and there hasn’t yet been a public update.
(Photo: The Collins Family via CNN)
After Collins set up the website, he raised enough from family and friends for the first donation, but after he posted the video on YouTube it went viral almost immediately. Since it was posted in mid-July, more than 2 million people have watched.
Donors from around the world, many anonymous, have since flooded the site.
“When I was daydreaming I thought (if we could collect) $1,500, we’ll do it three times, that would just be unbelievable to do it three times, never thought I’d get to,” Collins said.
“Suddenly I’m thinking, ‘Oh we’re going to get to do it 20 times, 40 times.’”
Powell, the second waitress to receive the surprise tip, works three jobs and is studying at the University of Kentucky to be a teacher.
The money will help the 21-year-old student with her bills, she said.
“I haven’t even thought about it yet, I just know I’m behind on a lot of stuff,” Powell said.
Seth Collins said the family has raised nearly enough money to do once-a-week tips for two years. So far he has given four, and said he plans to travel outside Lexington for the next. He has also been thinking of other possibilities, like leaving big tips for coffee or pizza delivery.
Collins pledged: “Absolutely every penny we receive will go toward nothing but this. We will pay to host the website. We will pay for the food. Absolutely 100% of the donations we receive will be given to random waiters or waitresses. Our goal is to do this once a week, for as long as you give us the opportunity.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Comments (107)
rappin72
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:41pmTruly good deed! I remember when someone put a dollar in a used coffee cup that would make its way to the dishwasher at the restaurant I worked one summer when in high school. I was that dishwasher way back when. That was very cool!
Report Post »zorro
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 4:05pmJoke’s on the family. It sound like Aaron’s last wish was actually that his family get together often to remember his kind and generous nature. It worked!
What truly thoughtful people and what a great way to remember a family member. God bless these folks.
Report Post »may40
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 4:14pmThis story is very touching and beautiful, but my heart breaks for a life taken much too young.
Report Post »ccprotect
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:52pmI agree with Zor, somewhat not the joke part . because the biggest gift he gave was making his family getting together over and over.
Report Post »Pouncing Porcupine
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:54pmWell doesn’t that make you feel all warm and fuzzy?
Report Post »I’m sure that more than made up for a lifetime of sin.
ccprotect
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 12:07amok, wait! I do have one problem after watching the second video. putting the donation web site on the bills, umm, starts to make me think they are enjoying it too much and the charity is starting to get lost…
Report Post »make an ends for you brothers wish and don’t indulge beyond that.
LaBelle
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 3:14am@CCprotect..Read the story again..They say that THEY are paying for the food and the website and every dime from the donations will be given away. :-)
Report Post »caveman74
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 10:57amThank you God for reminding me in very creative ways that you do exist and you watch over each and every one of us. This mans passing has placed love and charity in his families hearts that would not have been there otherwise. That can’t replace their lost loved one but he is with his creator now and they are out doing the lords work. I don’t see a sad story hear, I see a testimony to our living God
Report Post »MistyBlueAngel
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 9:50pmHere’s to Aaron, and his generous, loving family. May God bless them, along with the lives that they touch.
Report Post »Jimmielynn
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:32pmWhat a great story. I think that we are going to see more and more good being done as the Third Awakening is taking effect.
Report Post »2gether
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 4:18pmAMEN. Caring at its finest…just because…love it!
Report Post »aleycat
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 5:45pmI keep telling the people I love about a new awakening, I feel in my heart something is going on, something that will save the greatest nation to ever grace the earth, and with the salvation of America the rest of the world. I believe all the prayers of millions of good and decent Americans are working
Report Post »Look4DBigPicture
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 8:30pmBeautiful story … made my eyes mist over.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 10:59pmI think things like this have been going on all along.
Ten years ago just before Christmas an Anonymous person sought me out @ work; handed me an envelope and said:”Merry Christmas…this is from someone whom you touched deeply in the past.”
This person then walked BRISKLY out…there were five one hundred dollar bills. I was stunned.
God truly works wonders through people.
Report Post »Charles
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:27pmWow thats great. Made a donation.
Report Post »red-beard
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:18pmThese are people who are working! They are not asking for hand outs, etc. This is one of the nicest ways to show someone they are valued and appreciated.
Report Post »WillG
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:10pmThats Southern Hospitality for ya.
Report Post »RedOrangeYelloe
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:54pmIm all in! This is a grand idea.
Report Post »MattMan150
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:51pmThe IRS is reading tracking down the wait staff as we read this
Report Post »FREEDOMoverFEAR
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:51pmLol ain’t that the truth those damn vultures!
Report Post »burnteye86
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 4:46pmThe IRS would have to stand on a ladder to kiss Hitlers A**
Report Post »burnteye86
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 4:50pmDon’t get me wrong, Hitlers still in hell but the IRS will be deeper
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 11:01pmdoes not have to be reported unless it is $500.01.
Report Post »GoodStuff
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:38pmI don’t get it. The guy knew he was going to be strangled, so he wrote a will? Or did he strangle himself?
Report Post »Rijjka
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:31pmThat, or he wrote the will not knowing he was about to die, and then died somehow later.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:53pmMe thinks he died from chocking on an over-sized heart.
Report Post »kaydeebeau
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 4:18pmLast I checked, every person will die eventually. A prudent person plans for that eventuality ahead of time by preparing a will.
Report Post »TreeTrimmerJim
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 7:21pmStrangled? Is english a second language?
Report Post »SolitudeBliss
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 9:38pmStrangulation was involved ( conclude what you like). Having been a waitress while going to college full time trust me, waiters and waitresses are hard working people so when they give you good or great service remember to tip accordingly. ;-)
Report Post »Bro
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 2:43pmThe whole story was on neogaf when it happened. The guy hanged himself.
Report Post »I would link the thread but his brother seems to have changed the original post. This man killed himself and that is all you really need to know.
whozis
Posted on August 2, 2012 at 7:04pmOr we could concentrate on the good deeds being done by his family, who loved him, to honor him.
Report Post »JohnnyBrillcream
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:38pmWhen I waited tables I remember staff would “argue” over having know good tippers sit in their sections. This will end in fist fights!! Good for these guys carrying on their brothers wishes.
Report Post »meeester
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:24pmHe didn’t build that will.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:09pmThe government built the Internet that helped him create that will. Doe in my best sarcastic voice:-)
Report Post »zjak
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 4:06pmNow they will have to pay taxes on the money collected unless they’ve set up a non profit, and then the waitress will have to pay tax on the tips. Either way taxes will be 35%-40% depending on the State rates.
Report Post »Sweetrae
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:17pmGod Bless the family and Aaron.
Report Post »lawrench
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:48pmIt is a nice thing to do. Too bad he did not have the money to do it while he was alive. I am glad to see the family making his last wish happen. It will be interesting to see how many people will take this as an example and help those people that are waiters and waitresses out during these tough economic times.
Report Post »4xeverything
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:18pmAmen! God bless them.
Report Post »jrcess
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:16pmObama is already trying to figure out a way to tax this good deed, like he is taxing the Olympians for winning medals. What a miserable excuse for a human!
Report Post »Lothmar
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:44pmWe need to redistribute that tip, the restaurant now must put all tips for the day into a general tip jar – then all the staff, even those who wouldn’t normally recieve tips for their work can get their fair share. ~sarc~
Gah, I hate restaurants/worker groups that do that.
Report Post »shagstar
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:12pmthey should not advertise the waiters or waitresses names,,,big brother will take half!
Report Post »brezzeone
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:08pmActs like this is good for the American soul.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:21pmYup!
Report Post »eyestoseeearstohear
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:07pmHow wonderful!
It is SO inspiring to see GOOD PEOPLE DOING GOOD THINGS.
Rest in Peace, Aaron Collins.
Report Post »God Bless the family.
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:04pmWell done, let his generocity, and that of the donors carry out into the world at large.
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:54pmBoy when i was a waitress in the good ole days all i got was marriage proposals from people (men) that looked like serial killers, things have improved.lol
Report Post »hatchetjob
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:04pmGreat video, and I can imagine how happy that made the waitress.
Report Post »huey6367
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:03pmWhere does Biden stand on this?
Report Post »I support God's Israel!
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:44pmDo we care about Biden?
Report Post »Titainiumman
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:55pmBiden is like the majority of blacks he runs the server ragged and leaves no tip at all,Ive’ experienced this myself while working at an upscale motel in memphis when the black leadership council would come for the week with the women wearing the biggest hats they could find,I soon learned to take my vacation during that work.
Report Post »Before i started taking vacations during that week,when they ordered a fruity drink i would omit the alchohol, touche
RightUnite
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:58pmBoy!! They’re going to gain a lot of weight with all that eating out!! Hehehehe!! Good for them!!
Report Post »Bullfrog85
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:56pmAwesome
Report Post »AMENDMENT
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:05pm…and all done without the help of government :) which makes it so much more awesome. I love stories like this.
Report Post »the_system_disconnect
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:56pmThat’s real love right there :)
Truly helping out real people without help from the dictators…
Report Post »HKS
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:06pmMaybe even without filtering it through the dictators.
Report Post »girlnurse
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:55pmThis is a great idea! Love it.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:53pmGod bless you Aaron…even after death you bring happiness.
Report Post »KickinBack
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:53pmAnd they didn’t need help from the government. God Bless.
Report Post »moomaw10
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:51pmBeing a Kentuckian this makes me proud…Heading to donate now…God Bless him an his family…
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 1:58pmGREAT story!!!
Report Post »GO BIG BLUE!!!
Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 2:29pm@MOOMAW10
Report Post »Me too (Bath County)!
God Bless the Collin’s family!
4xeverything
Posted on August 1, 2012 at 3:09pmHey Anonymous,
My grandma (Grandma Farmgirl as we call her) lives in Bath County. Some of the most beautiful countryside I’ve ever seen in my life. When we come down from Cincinnati to visit, we always take the back roads from Maysville through Owingsville so we can enjoy the scenery. Definitely God’s country.
Report Post »