On December 11th, area Greene Turtles will be holding their annual Tips For Tots event. Instead of pocketing the tips received, staff members take the tips and go shopping for needy children. In addition, there will be donation bins at each location for unwrapped toys. This generous offer by employees who work in an industry that relies on tips is incredible. So, plan to head to a Greene Turtle on December 11th and when your bill comes–tip big and make it a wonderful holiday for some deserving kid.
How it all started
It started in 2006 when Corlie Brice, a bartender in our Salisbury location, noticed a Toys for Tots drop off on her way to work. She decided to donate her tips that night to buy toys for underprivileged children to open that Christmas. Once at work and explained her intentions, co-worker Chris Tingle decided to donate his tips as well. The two earned $700 that night, and were able to buy even more toys when the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet gave them a discount after hearing their story.
This event has grown every year, with more staff stepping up and donating their tips on a designated day in December. Last year was our biggest year when the staff of twenty locations participated and raised over $31,700. In previous years, TGTFC (the corporate office) has jumped on board and contributed an additional $500 to any location’s team that raised over $1000. And some stores have even held ‘Funds for Friends’ events on this day and donated 10% of the day’s sales to further add to the total.
All participating team members then get to go shopping with their earned monies to purchase toys for local Toys for Tots chapters. Most locations even had area retailers offering a discount on the toys purchased to extend the value of the earnings. To date this event has raised just under $60,000 – almost entirely by our staff.
