Waitress Who Was Stiffed Over Her ‘Lifestyle’ Donates Thousands To Veterans Group
Remember Dayna Morales, waitress who was stiffed by a customer assuming she is a lesbian? Last week, working at Gallop Asian Bistro in Bridgewater, New Jersey, the only “tip” Morales was given by a customer was “I’m sorry I cannot tip because I do not agree with your lifestyle and the way you live your life.â€
The New Civil Rights Movement and other news organizations reported on the story, noting that Morales is a former Marine.
Many were angered by the customer’s vile comments, and many have traveled just to see Morales, Â thank her for her service and offer their support — emotional and financial.
Now, Morales is taking the donations she’s received, about $2000, and donation them to the Wounded Warrior Project. Her employer, whom she says has been especially supportive, is matching the funds, so the group, which works to help injured service members, will be receiving about $4000.
“I never really expected or imagined this could happen,” Morales told NJ.com on Saturday. A Bronx, New York same-sex couples had traveled “to donate $20 each.”
Jennie Saldana; her partner, Gloria; her daughter, Jordan; Gloria’s niece and nephew, Trinity Roman and Bryan Perez; and their dog, Gizmo came to Bridgewater Saturday.
“My family and I drove all the way out here to show Dayna our support,” Saldana said. “People shouldn’t assume how others live. Being a mother and looking the way I do, I’m speechless.”
Morales took the donations and spent some time chatting with Saldana and her family, even introducing Saldana to her own partner, who was sitting at a table in the restaurant.
Several other customers came by to drop off donations for Morales and the Wounded Warrior Project through the evening.
The original customer has not surfaced. Morales says that she would serve them again, but her boss at the Asian restaurant told NJ.com he would “ask them to leave.”
http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/apps/cvp/3.0/swf/cnn_embed_2x_container.swf?site=cnn&profile=desktop&context=embed&videoId=us/2013/11/15/dnt-gay-marine-waitress-stiffed.wabc&contentId=us/2013/11/15/dnt-gay-marine-waitress-stiffed.wabc
Video and screenshot via CNN and ABC
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