Donnie Wahlberg tipped a food server in his native Massachusetts $2020 … and ‘her jaw dropped’

Donnie Wahlberg tipped a food server in his native Massachusetts $2020 on $35 bill … and ‘her jaw dropped’ when she saw the total

Donnie Wahlberg helped brighten up a food server’s year by tipping her $2,020 after his check was $35.27.

The 51-year-old Blue Bloods actor this week made the generous gesture toward his server, Denise Andrews, at Marshland, a restaurant located in Plymouth, Massachusetts while taking part in a social media game called the #2020TipChallenge.

The restaurant touted the New Kids on the Block alum’s magnanimous gesture with a social media post.

Generous: Donnie Wahlberg, 51, helped brighten up a food server’s year by tipping her $2,020 after his check was $35.27. He was snapped in NYC last month

‘A very special thank you to our friend @donniewahlberg! When asked about it all he said was “who’s up next?!”‘ the establishment said.

The restaurant’s owner Marty Finch, 56, told People that Wahlberg, who plays Detective Danny Reagan on the CBS police show, ‘has been here before in the past and he always asks for’ Andrews as his server, as she’s familiar with his standing order – steak tips with grilled asparagus and poached eggs.

Finch said that Wahlberg played down the gesture as he made his way out of the establishment.

‘When he left he just said, “Denise you’re all set. The payment is on the table,”’ Finch told the outlet. ‘She always says he’s a very good tipper anyway but her jaw dropped, to say the least, when she saw that amount of tip.’

The right stuff: The restaurant touted the New Kids on the Block alum's magnanimous gesture with a social media post

The right stuff: The restaurant touted the New Kids on the Block alum’s magnanimous gesture with a social media post

Kind message: The Blue Bloods star encouraged his social media followers to spread love

Kind message: The Blue Bloods star encouraged his social media followers to spread love 

Good habit: The entertainer left a massive tip for a server on New Year's Day, as well

Good habit: The entertainer left a massive tip for a server on New Year’s Day, as well  

Finch said that Andrews was also ‘very generous’ with the proceeds, as ‘she tipped out her fellow waitstaff and the guys in the kitchen, and she actually donated too.

‘She’s working on getting two families turkey meals during the holidays, so she’s generous herself,’ he said of Andrews, who has worked at the eatery for eight years. ‘Donnie said to pass it on, to keep this positive stuff going, so she’s trying to do that as well.’  

Finch said that Wahlberg’s gesture came at a critical time, as his restaurant chain has ‘struggled these last eight months’ amid the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and its subsequent shutdowns.

‘It was just very uplifting for everyone,’ he said. ‘Me, as the owner, we’ve struggled these last eight months. We’ve really tried to keep these doors open. We actually closed for a couple of months because it just wasn’t looking good. But we reopened, and it’s been a blessing that we did … it’s just been a really good feeling all around.’

Donnie earlier this year made a similar gesture on New Year’s Day, as shared by wife Jenny McCarthy on Twitter. He’s past tipped large amounts at Waffle House chains, as well. 

Wahlberg is father to sons Xavier, 27, and Elijah, 19, with his ex Kimberly Fey; and stepdad to McCarthy’s 18-year-old son Evan Asher.

Blue Bloods, which is headed into its 11th season, stars Wahlberg, Tom Selleck, Bridget Moynahan, Len Cariou, Will Estes, Amy Carlson, Sami Gayle and Steve Schirripa.