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An 81-year-old Eat'n Park server, lovingly nicknamed Betty the Waitress, is the recipient of over $235,000 as part of a fundraising campaign.
The initiative was launched to help her retire easily. It all began when a TikTok video of her went viral. According to CBS News, Tamie Konzier and her son Leo, 10, were dining at Eat'n Park on McKnight Road in Ross Township when Betty joined them as their server.
In the video, Konzier revealed that Betty had been on the job for at least 3 decades, and they overheard her saying that the only reason she was still working at 81 was because the $910 per month Social Security cheques weren't cutting it.
"She was a great waitress, she remembered all our orders, very nice, super friendly, funny, a great waitress," Konzier said. "I just couldn't imagine. Like, my grandmother is in her 80s. I just couldn't imagine her still having to work and provide," she added.
Betty the Waitress raises over $235,000 in fundraising campaign, far past the $9K goal: Read more
In the TikTok video, Tamie Konzier, 41, of Millvale, who works as an esthetician at Bloom Beauty Parlor in East Liberty, revealed that she and Leo devised a plan to support Betty, who “can hardly walk.” First, they put down a big tip for her, about $40. Second, they decided to spread the news on social media.
"'Do you think we should make a TikTok, Leo?' and Leo was like, 'Yeah, let's do it, Mom,'" Konzier said.
A GoFundMe was launched not long after, and the page has since raised over $235,000. The initial goal was $9,000. The TikTok video went viral quickly, amassing over 4 million views at the time of writing.
“We posted it not thinking it would raise any money or what it has raised,” she said.
According to TIRB Live, Konzier also received about $4,000 through Venmo.
“I hope she retires and maybe gets to travel, if she wants, or pay off bills,” Konzier said. “If she doesn’t want to retire, if she enjoys her job, maybe she does, then use the money, it’s her money. I hope she can use it how she wants and enjoy the rest of her life.”
She also revealed that the 81-year-old has no idea about the campaign, revealing that she has yet to contact the restaurant or the server. “It all happened so fast,” she said. “I can’t believe it.”
"I guess I'm going to call Eat'n Park and figure this out. I didn't expect it to blow up," Konzier said.
Eat'n Park has since issued a statement, however, noting that they're thrilled for their employee. Spokeswoman Courtney Caprara said they are “thrilled to see the outpouring of support for Betty."
“She creates so many smiles for our guests and team members every day, and we’re grateful for all that she brings to our team. We love our team members, and we love that our guests and community members love them, too.”
Konzier is hoping that Betty gets to retire, finally, and "maybe travel, if she wants, or pay off bills."
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