Virtual challenge tips service workers

NORTHERN N.Y. | The "Venmo Challenge" -- using the Venmo money-sharing app to virtually transfer funds from one person to another to raise money for tips -- has circulated throughout the country. Mikey Gines and his partner Emily Morrissey, residing in Wilmington, New York, were inspired after seeing this challenge play out as a trend on the video-sharing social network TikTok. They decided to launch a version of the challenge for the North Country, through a Facebook group. Gines invited all his friends to join in what he said was the spirit of love, positivity, and kindness. "I knew I had enough friends and family with big hearts to get this thing started." TIPPING SERVICE WORKERS Gines' group "Tipping North Country" has reached beyond 1,100 members and continues to grow, with a sizable tip given as a surprise each week to a service worker in the area. The tip is pooled from donations made by members of the group, using Venmo, Facebook, or Paypal. The largest sum raised in the group's first five consecutive weeks was about $630, Gines said. That tip was split between two recipients at the urging of the group. "This isn't just for servers at restaurants; it's for all service workers," Gines explained. "This includes the mailman, the barbershop -- we even tipped at a grocery store." Tip delivery is filmed and posted in the group, Gines said, to create community and also to show accountability for where the funds are going. One DoorDash driver received $560 for delivering a single sweet tea. China Cafe in Champlain Centre received a tip of more than $300. At the time of writing this article, the group has distributed nearly $1,500, with no signs of slowing down. GINES GETS IT Gines, who is a server in Lake Placid, said, "I get the struggle." Though he and Morrissey don't receive any compensation for their coordination efforts, Gines said they know what it's like to be impacted by the pandemic and to persevere through challenging times. "We don't benefit from helping out," Gines said. "We wanted to see what we could give back and help out where we can. Everybody has been impacted by the pandemic. We wanted to help bring some light to the darkness." DOING GOOD IN THE NORTH COUNTRY "We didn't want to do it just in our county," Gines told Sun Community News. "We chose to do it in the whole North Country. How far that extends is where we'll be going." Geographic locations are selected by polling the Facebook group, with input from managers at local businesses and restaurants chosen at random. "We call ahead if we can to see if the managers can recommend someone who could use a blessing. Not that everyone isn't deserving, because they are," Gines shared. "But who has fallen on hard times? If we can find somebody who needs it, we will." Some group members are located as far away as Long Island, NY, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington State, Gines said. "You don't have to be from our area to want to make a difference here." He emphasized that a donation from someone anywhere could help another person find their next meal, get school supplies for their child, or even pay for rides to work. Gines said fundraising efforts will continue indefinitely. Donations can be made via @MikeyG671 on Venmo or through PayPal.Me/MikeyG671.

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Virtual challenge tips service workers

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