A bartender in Missouri received the tip of a lifetime — when a customer gave her a Powerball ticket that ended up winning $50,000.
Taylor Russey, 33, told reporters Wednesday that a regular patron gave out Powerball tickets as part of his tip on Oct. 18 for her good service that evening at Bleacher's Bar in O'Fallon.
"He does this every now and then, and when he does, he still tips regularly," Russey said of the generous gentleman who has asked to remain anonymous. "It's just something nice he does for us."
Russey scanned the ticket at the bar's lottery terminal the following day and immediately knew something was up.
"It told me I couldn't cash it, that I had to claim the prize at a lottery office because I won $50,000," Russey said. "I kind of stood there for a second, looked at the cook and then looked at the ticket before I started laughing and then I started crying."
The bartender said she had no major plans for her windfall aside from getting necessary dental work.
She doesn't intend to buy anything extravagant or quit her job of almost three years, she said.
"No, I'm not that kind of person," Russey said ahead of her first shift at the bar since the big win. "And this is not going to sustain me for the rest of my life. I still have to work."
Russey's co-workers aren't jealous of her jackpot, which took a "kind of big hit" after taxes, she said.
"Honestly, I haven't had anybody say anything negative to me at all," she said. "Everybody's been supportive and congratulating me. It's become a very public news story."
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Congratulations to Taylor Russey! $50,000.00 before taxes will definitely begin the Season of Giving. I hope that she wins again very soon.
"Everybody is supportive".
The generous patron is probably quite pleased with himself. Hoping it will happen again.
Now Taylor, become a good steward and you will be prepared for a big jackpot.
I live very close to where that ticket was purchased, maybe that's a good place to buy from?🤔
.
I used to give out tickets, once in a while, and also indiscriminately, like the patron in this store did.
For me, anyway, this story is a good lesson, in what one might sacrifice so blindly.
People don't "have heart anymore". I bet if this patron knew what he gave up, he'd hit such a serious depression he'd
NEVER FORGET it.
Groppo
.. and here l was, thinking why would Taylor not break out in a grin from ear to ear after picking up 50K without her putting a dime down? Get your grill fixed Taylor.
Nice
Congrats to the Winner !
It's best to continue working with this amount of $$$$.
Taylor go buy a Powerball ticket ,and another....etc.
I would never give a stranger lottery ticket. I would only give it to my wife knowing that if she hits I will get a little something something.
😎😎😎😎
This customer is no stranger Jack, he is a regular at this joint. No random acts of kindness from you Jack, always looking out for a little something something in return huh?
Yup! I don't give lottery games as a gift or a tip. That's how I roll. To each there own.
We're having spray in insulation put under the sun room floor Monday. Pulling down the insulation there we noticed a board had rotted away and had to be replaced. You don't walk on that area. So two days ago walking in snow flurries there was some wood where they're building a house. I asked the guys if I could have a piece. Came back with the car and they put it in my Subie for me as it was too heavy to carry. Turns out it happened to be subflooring! My guys here put it in after 4 hours of hard labor.
Anyway, sorry for the rant. Went and bought four PB sans PP to give to the workers down the street yesterday. Tried giving two to one guy, he wouldn't take them. They're English was not that good, but other guy took all four. Last night the builder burned up all the scrap wood, so worked out fine. Took the other piece we bought from Lowe's back for a credit this morning!
My bigger point is I enjoy doing things like that and one day someone I don't know will hit because of my generosity!
Good for you.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Not to worry Jeff.
Some folk don't know how to pay it forward. No stopping to give gas to a stranded motorist or change a tire on the freeway: Unless the driver is a gorgeous single female, blonde, wearing stiletto heels & having breast implants.