Greene Turtle trades tips for toys

It was a particularly cold December night in 2006 when Corlie Budd arrived for work.

Like many nights before, she was to bartend at The Greene Turtle in Salisbury.

But this shift would be different.

Budd decided she'd use all of her tips earned that evening to purchase gifts for needy children, after noticing a local Toys for Tots drop-off site that was hardly full.

"I just made up my mind right then and there," she said. "Whatever I made that night would help fill that box."

She enlisted the help of co-workers and publicized her intentions to patrons coming into the restaurant.

By the end of the night, Budd and fellow bartender Chris Tingle had earned $700. The amount proved even more valuable when the manager of a nearby Ollie's Bargain Outlet agreed to give Budd a discount on her purchases once she explained what they were for.

"I was blown away," she said. "We were able to fill up that drop-off site, and then some."

What began with Budd on a December night has quickly evolved in the last 10 years into a company wide program.

As part of The Greene Turtle's annual Tips for Tots initiative, employees at nearly 40 locations will donate 100 percent of tips earned Wednesday, Dec. 9, to Toys for Tots.

"I doubt she had any idea how many lives she'd affect from that seemingly small, kind gesture," said Ashley McIntyre, manager of the Greene Turtle in Salisbury. "She started something truly wonderful."

Since the inaugural effort, The Greene Turtle has donated more than $160,000 in purchased toys to local Toys for Tots programs, through tips donated by restaurant employees, as well as additional gifts donated by other members of the community.

Patrons have rallied to the cause, occasionally giving tips as large as $50 to $100 on the purchase of a single beer, McIntyre said.

Last year, The Greene Turtle raised more than $60,000 for local Toys for Tots programs and plans to raise more than $70,000 this year. The Greene Turtle Franchising Corporation has promised to add a matching $500 donation for each participating location that earns $1,000 in tips.

Throughout the day-long event, The Greene Turtle will also host raffles and games to raise additional funds. The Salisbury Greene Turtle will feature an ugly sweater contest, silent auction, bake sale, trivia at 7 p.m., DJ from 10 p.m. to close, and a special Mug Club auction of mugs No. 6 through No. 10.

After the event, The Greene Turtle employees will volunteer their time to go shopping with the tips and donation money. The purchases will be put out on display in the restaurants for the community to see.

"It's an impressive sight," Budd said. "It just warms your heart being a part of something like this, something greater than yourself."

The staff makes shopping with the donated funds a team effort; armed with trucks, vans, and holiday spirit. They visit a host of area retailers that have largely agreed to offer discounts for the cause, Budd said.

Customers who are unable to visit The Greene Turtle on Dec. 9 can visit its website to make an online donation through the Tips for Tots “GoFundMe” page. Customers can also drop off new, unwrapped toy donations at any Greene Turtle location through Dec. 10.

Local participating locations include:

The Greene Turtle — Salisbury
2318 N Salisbury Boulevard
Salisbury, MD 21801

The Greene Turtle – Lewes
17388 North Village Main
Lewes, DE 19958

The Greene Turtle – Rehoboth Beach
52 Rehoboth Avenue
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

302-537-1881, ext. 209

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