Clearwater Waitress Surprised With $2,000 Tip On Christmas Eve

CLEARWATER, FL — A Clearwater waitress facing some tough financial times was able to provide Christmas gifts for family and friends after customers surprised her with a $2,000 tip on Christmas Eve.

Lynette Baio-Portorreal, a waitress at Speggtacular at 770 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach, for five years, said money was tight this Christmas. She was still paying off debts following the sudden death of her husband, Georgi, two years ago. And more recently, her car was damaged and needed $2,000 in repairs after she swerved to avoid an accident.

As she worked on Christmas Eve, she said she was resigned to the fact that she wouldn't be able to buy gifts this year. But some regular customers proved her wrong.

Following dinner at the restaurant on Christmas Eve, the customers left Baio-Portorreal a check for $2,000.

"I'm truly blessed," said Baio-Portorreal. "I prayed and prayed God would restore my savings from Georgi dying and my car. It's a Christmas miracle."

Although she confessed her money trouble to the couple when they asked her how she was doing a few weeks ago, Baio-Portorreal said she was shocked when she walked over to the table they had just vacated on Christmas Eve and saw the check written to her with a note that read: "Merry Christmas and restore your savings. God bless you."

"I started crying," she said. "It was just totally amazing. I'm so blessed and so grateful."

When Baio-Portorreal's posted the news on Facebook, she received dozens of comments from friends who said they couldn't think of anyone more deserving of the Christmas surprise.

"If anyone deserves a break and kind gesture, it’s you," said Kelly Derrick King-Sowards.

"This is so awesome, Lynette," posted Pamela LaFleur Horgen. "What an incredible blessing. And you deserve every penny of it. You are a shining soul in this world and I'm glad to see it recognized."

"Lynette, you have been paying forward for a very long time," said Dianne Fenstemacher. "It’s no accident these two angels came to the dinner and you were the server."