Ellen DeGeneres Rewards Waitress Who Paid Soldiers' Tab During Shutdown With $10,000

October 21, 2013

A New Hampshire waitress who picked up the lunch tab of two National Guard soldiers affected by the federal government's shutdown has been repaid — more than 300 times over — by television star Ellen DeGeneres.

Sarah Hoidahl, a waitress in Concord, N.H., just wanted to do a nice thing for the soldiers, so she recently picked up their lunch tab. It cost her $27.75.

On Friday, DeGeneres squared the tab and then some, giving Hoidahl $27.75 in cash and a check for $10,000.

An emotional Hoidahl buried her face in her hands and thanked DeGeneres as the talk show host repeated "You're a good person."

DeGeneres caught wind of Hoidahl's act of kindness when the New Hampshire National Guard posted a picture on its Facebook page. The story spread quickly online, producers saw it and invited Hoidahl to Hollywood.

waitress pays soldiers tab

Ellen also gave her a 50-inch television.


feel good videoDogs Are Forced To Wear The Things They Steal — And It’s Hilarious

feel good storiesHow A Silly 11-Second Song About Dr Pepper Changed Her Life Overnight

feel good storiesSenior Cat Labeled 'Sad And Scared' Finds Forever Home

feel good storiesShe Could Have Kept Walking. Instead, She Stopped And Saved A Life

feel good storiesFamily On Walk Finds Kitten Covered In Ice, Stuck To Plastic She Was Hiding Under

feel good storiesNewborn Calf Barely Survives Freezing Cold, Then Finds Warmth With Kids

feel good video'You're a Unicorn': The Dementia Caregiver Who Just Stunned The American Idol Judges

feel good videoHis Kids Wanted To Help With His Videos, So He Let Them Narrate — It’s The Cutest Thing

feel good videoMeet Ella: She's 104, A WWII Veteran, And Swears By Peanut Butter

feel good videoNew Jersey Man Lets Robot Handle Snowstorm — Wakes Up To A Clear Driveway

feel good videoKid Knocks On Door To Ask If Their DOG Can Come Outside And Play