Servers and wait staff at The Nest Bar & Grill thought it was going to be just another busy day.
Close to 50 diners descended on the eatery at the Bolingbrook Golf Club in the southwest suburb for what they thought was another business lunch.
But the workers had no idea of what was really in store.
"Shock, emotion, like I'm not trying to cry right now, but very grateful because I have kids at home, and times have been tough," Laura Larson said.
When the diners finished their meals, each dropped a cool $100 tip on top of their tab, leaving workers stunned when they realized they'd been left a tip totaling nearly $5,000.
"I wasn't even supposed to work today, but something in me told me to come in. I am so grateful I picked up today," Yajaira Gonzelez said.
The act of generosity is all a part of Joe Giamanco's annual Shock & Claus event.
He says it supports service industry workers that are often overlooked during the holidays.
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The movement was created in Denver, Colorado in 2015 and has spread across the country.
This was Giamanco's biggest turnout so far.
"I had a job at Denny's when I was in college. I was a terrible server. I would've never made it. I would've never made a living doing it, but I appreciate it doing that time. How hard the work was, that's always stuck with (me)," Giamanco said.
The attorney started the local giving effort eight years ago, after a friend introduced him to the idea.
So, he got together a small group of friends, who each committed to leave a $100 tip in addition to the cost of their meal to spread some holiday cheer. Since then, the tradition has continued to grow among his friends and social circles.
"The look on the waitress or waiter's face when they get that money, it's just priceless. It really is. It's such a really good warm feeling for everybody, especially with everything going on in the world now," Barbara Parker said.
The restaurants are picked at random based on their ability to accommodate the number of diners attending the meal.
"It's a time to give back to people. A lot of people are struggling right now. We're here to help our neighbor. I always want to be a good neighbor," Otis Gatlin said.
In all, at least five restaurant workers shared in Friday's blessing, which is not just the money, but also good will.
The group says what they really wanted to do was appreciate workers that are often underappreciated and overworked. They're hoping their sense of spirit and the holiday will spread to others.