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$500 pizza tip part of man’s final wish

Posted at 1:28 PM, Jul 12, 2013
and last updated 2013-07-12 13:34:33-04

CHICAGO (WGN) – Kindness is contagious is a lesson from learned the grave for a brother of a man who died suddenly at the young age of 30. His dying wish was do something extraordinary for a total stranger. From that simple act, a movement was born and it bowled over a Chicago pizza server this afternoon.

Pequod’s server Vanessa Goldschmidt got the shock of her life today. On a mere $30-dollar tab, she received a $500 dollar gratuity.

It’s a happy moment following a sad story, the journey from grief to gratitude.

The last will and testament of Aaron Collins reads: “Leave an awesome tip and I don`t mean 25-percent! I mean $500 dollars on a pizza.”

Aaron’s brother Seth didn`t hesitate for a moment.

Exactly one year ago today, less than a week after his brother passed away, he passed on that generous spirit, giving that first whopping tip in their hometown, with the family gathered around at Puccini`s in Lexington, Kentucky.

Seth posted the experience on social media. The clip went viral and the gift grew.

To date more than $60,000 in donations has poured in, sending Seth on a mission across the country to drop tips in every state. And since Aaron was once a pizza server, and Chicago is famous for its pies, Seth chose Pequod`s for his big delivery.

Aaron`s idea of a gift for someone random turned out to be the best gift he could give his grieving brother, stretching out over the country now having visited 55 restaurants.

For more on how you can help, log on to: http://aaroncollins.org/