On December 20, 2023, The Big Fat Tip® celebrated its fifth anniversary of being an official organization! We handed out five surprise $1,000 tips that day in Lakeland, Florida, to strangers working in randomly selected businesses. All five tips were paid for by Eric Vaden, a longtime supporter of our organization.

Eric owns a GEICO agency in Boston, Massachusetts. He recently bought the license to ten pet grooming businesses called Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique. Tragically, one of his new team members, Eden Beck, died in a car accident on December 10, 2023. Eric wanted to honor Eden’s life through these random acts of kindness. We are so grateful for his support, and our hearts go out to Eden’s family and friends.

Our featured volunteer for #51, Troy C. Smith, recently embarked on a new venture, sharing his wisdom through motivational speaking. Troy dedicates his free time to the United Way of Central Florida and is organizing a community talent show in March to raise funds for this noble cause. So, if you live in Central Florida and have a hidden talent or a knack for entertaining, reach out to Troy. He’s always looking for singers, dancers, jokesters, yodelers, or even fire-breathing dragon-juggling unicyclists on a tightrope!