It doesn’t really get much more pure than this: a random act of kindness, a pay-it-forward moment that takes flight. A stranger sends out that positive energy that we all need, providing a bit of levity and hope that human beings really do care about each other—sometimes (and especially) about those we don’t even know.
That’s what transpired during what seemed like a typical Wednesday dinner shift at P.J. Whelihan’s in Downingtown. The usual evening clatter emanated from a bustling restaurant full of baskets of hot wings, smothered fries, sandwich specials and mugs of select beer. The sounds of forks tapping plates, clinking glasses and echoed laughter filled the cavernous space. Little did they know, but servers Devyn Wanstall, Aleasa Bush and Jill Hannon were about to experience something epic take place.
A customer who was seated with a table of his grandchildren pulled Aleasa aside as he was halfway through his meal. Leaning in, he gently pressed a wad of bills into her hand and whispered, “Use this cash to pay for three dinners this evening. Just tell them ‘Secret Santa’ is footing their bill in the hope that they, too, will pay it forward.” This special customer explained how it was important for him to illustrate altruism to the youngsters at his table.
The three servers proceeded to comply and watched the surprised recipients react as if they were on a prank show. Then faces beamed as reality sunk in. Grins grew. Eyes filled with tears as the environment began to change ever so subtly.
Other servers, bartenders and P.J. Whelihan’s customers observed as the generosity spread. Like a toasty blanket being tugged to a neck on a cold rainy morning, the warmth enveloped the room. By the end of this seemingly average hump day, 20 different families had in fact payed it forward and picked up the tab of another, then another and so on. All was good in this tiny piece of the world as the domino effect put in place by one person continued on anonymously.
Lindsay Barrow, general manager and long-term employee, marveled, “What was amazing about this experience was not only how the kindness benefited the chosen recipients, but how it affected each of us! The staff has never seen anything like this and we were genuinely moved by this customer’s generosity. The goodwill was so palpable.”
“This behavior is indicative of the customers, the staff and the family environment here at our restaurants,” exuded Jim Fris, COO of P.J. Whelihan’s. “We love being a part of this positive way of behaving and encourage others to take a step by pushing this story and level of caring into the community.”
The story found its way to a status update on P.J Whelihan’s Facebook page as well as the personal social media accounts of some of those involved. Over 500 likes and a booming number of “shares” later, it gloriously illustrates that we need to participate more in this type of behavior. We owe it to our children, our grandchildren, each other and most importantly, ourselves.
It didn’t take a great deal of effort for this “Secret Santa” to be kind. So go ahead and make a difference. Make it simple. Slip an extra quarter in the parking meter next to yours if it looks like it’s going to expire, pay the toll for the person behind you as you travel over the river and through the woods, buy $20 in groceries for the person behind you in the express lane or just put down the phone and share a good old-fashioned smile with someone who looks like they could use it.
Be kind. You’ll inspire others to be as well—not only this time of season, but all year long. Happy Holidays!
Find P.J. Whelihan’s in Downingtown at 853 E. Lancaster Ave.; phone: (610) 873-1311.
- Photos: P.J. Whelihan’s
