Pleasanton Waitress Gets $1K+ Tip As Outdoor Dining Closes

PLEASANTON, CA — Like many workers across the Bay Area and nation, Allie Giessman, 22, of Pleasanton has endured difficulty during the coronavirus pandemic.

When Alameda County entered the stay-at-home order Monday, she found herself out of two jobs: a waitressing job at Brava Garden Eatery in Pleasanton and another in a broker's office. Giessman said she and her husband have lived frugally, putting every available penny toward his graduate school education.

But when she showed up to work at Brava Garden Eatery Saturday — on the precipice of widespread restrictions that spelled the end of outdoor dining for weeks — Giessman caught a break to the tune of $1,200.

The tip came from Marilyn Weinstein of Pleasanton and friend Carina Cortez, who had decided to spend the last Saturday before the shutdown enjoying a meal out. Weinstein had heard of the "Venmo Challenge" on social media platform Tik Tok, where users solicit money from followers through money sharing app Venmo, and put those contributions toward a generous tip.

Weinstein, who bartended her way through her undergraduate education, decided to give the "Venmo Challenge" a shot with her Facebook friends. Within hours, she received a total of $1,380 from 61 friends across the country. The best part, Weinstein said, was seeing another several Tri-Valley friends get inspired to do the same.

Weinstein gifted $1,200 to Giessman on Saturday night, then gave the $180 in late donations to her manicurist at Stoneridge Nails on Sunday, she said.

"[Giessman] cried, I cried," Weinstein said. "I am still high on it."

Giessman said she was shocked to receive the money, as she had assumed the women called her over to their table to take their photograph. She was hit with a wave of deep gratitude and said she and her husband had been praying for a godsend.

The gift was far larger than her biggest tip, around $80. Thanks to their gift, Giessman believes she and her husband will be able to navigate the weeks ahead thanks to their savings and thrifty lifestyle.

"We definitely feel like that was something that was from God," Giessman said. "A gift from those women that could help us in this time."

Brava Garden Eatery owner German Carlucci said her tip was the largest he'd ever heard of and came amid a difficult time for the restaurant industry.

"[Giessman] actually deserves everything," he said.

Giessman was quick to pay it forward. She brought her colleagues a pizza and cookies, and brought a bottle of wine to Carlucci and his wife, Yanina.

"I wouldn't be anywhere without them," Giessman said. "Spread that holiday spirit and pay it forward."

For Giessman, the gift underscored that there are good people seeking to serve and bring joy to others, even in tribulation, she said. And the surprise was a reminder that no matter how big or small, a gift can go a long way in being a blessing to others.

She said the experience inspired her to spend more time reflecting on how she can be "positive and a light toward others," in an era where people tend to dehumanize one another and "everyone is seeing everyone as a disease."

"I was being seen as a person that had individual needs," Giessman said.

Weinstein encouraged others to give the "Venmo Challenge" a try to help out hardworking people struggling this holiday season.

"You can change somebody's life for 50 cents, a dollar, five dollars," she said. "You don't have to be Daddy Warbucks ... you can just do grassroots."

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