Sometimes, a small act of kindness can spark a wave of goodwill. That’s exactly what happened at the Boiler Room restaurant in Spokane when waitress Amber Bryant showed patience and compassion to a struggling mother during a tough day.
Ashley Pollastrini, a local mom, had taken her young children to the restaurant but quickly found herself overwhelmed. Her kids were restless, and she was having a hard time managing them while trying to enjoy a meal. Amber, the waitress, noticed Pollastrini’s stress.
“She was so kind to us, brought my kids snacks, helped me box my food, and even told me I was doing a great job,” Pollastrini later shared in a heartfelt Facebook post. “I really needed that kindness.”
Her post caught the attention of Rick Clark, a local resident known for his community work. Inspired by Amber’s patience and empathy, Clark rallied his Facebook followers to show their appreciation. The response was overwhelming.
Local moms and community members who resonated with the story chipped in to raise an incredible $800 in cash and $700 in gift cards. Clark personally delivered the surprise to Amber, who was moved to tears by the outpouring of generosity.
The video of Clark surprising Bryant has amassed over 3 million views on social media, capturing hearts nationwide. A local news station also covered the uplifting story, featuring heartfelt interviews with Clark, Bryant, and Pollastrini, the grateful mother who started it all.
"It's just making me realize that sometimes your village isn't family or people you have supporting you, sometimes it's strangers in a restaurant," Pollastrini shared while in tears.
Photo: Hispanolistic / E+ / Getty Images