Stefano Baldamus, Waiter, Receives Surprise Scholarship From Restaurant

Every year, the Rathskeller Restaurant and Bar in Southbury, Conn., donates the money it makes during the Super Bowl to charity.

This year, they decided to gift the money a little closer home.

Stefano Baldamus, 19, is a waiter at the restaurant. He's also a student with another part-time job. Baldamus pays for his own car, tuition and rent. Because of his hard work and humble attitude, the restaurant decided to give Baldamus the money it made as a scholarship, WTNH.com reports.

"We decided that he's well worth giving the scholarship ... because he is working a few jobs, and asking for no help anywhere," Janet Antilla of Rathskeller Restaurant and Bar, told WTNH.

Customers have continued donating to Baldamus's fund, WTNH.com reports, and so far the donation is at $1000.

Comments

[mass maritimer]

10:17 PM on 02/15/2012

This was my parents' favorite bar......

[2tru4u2c]

08:59 AM on 02/14/2012

It's nice to hear some good old-fashioned good news every once in a while.

Hip Hip Horray!!!

[gustavoike]

08:58 AM on 02/14/2012

What a plastic society we live in. If this guy were lets say overweight or unsightly in some way rather than--what did some commenters say--"hot"--a) this would not be news b) no one wouldve bothered to give him a scholarship in the first place. Kudos to his work ethic, we should all learn from that. But answer me this..is a work ethic in a handsome person any more laudable than anyone else having a work ethic? One would think so looking at the comments on this board.

[iconico62]

05:57 AM on 02/15/2012

What's the matter with your negativity? Did the restaurant say it gave to this kid because he is white and goodlooking and not overweight? Your comment makes you look real unsightly.

[gustavoike]

01:21 PM on 02/19/2012

Im commenting on the comments more than the story. As I said, this young man deserves his good fortune. What I also said was, there are many others out there that deserve the same and arent getting any help with their education. And yes, I did mention that this was newsworthy because the kid is photogenic..forgive me for stating the obvious in this airbrushed, cosmetically overconcerned world we live in..and while Im at it, Id thank you to keep comments about my appearance to yourself.

[spicebabieforlife]

08:40 AM on 02/14/2012

I have never felt any better in my life, i'm sure he's gonna turn around and do something better for him in the future. This is so heartwarming.

[cbjmeemaw]

12:33 AM on 02/14/2012

Wonderful!!

[hopein2012]

11:59 PM on 02/13/2012

love these stories. people are good.

[shushuwu]

11:42 PM on 02/13/2012

On top of all the good karma...Stefano is H-O-T!!!

[Seattlewkr]

10:19 PM on 02/13/2012

Dad walked out on a fantastic kid like this? Really pathetic.

[shrimperdan]

09:26 PM on 02/13/2012

Just a nice story...one of those that reminds you that there are good people doing generouse and nice things for others.
Only on the internet would this story be reduced to bickering among those posting comments.

[Jerome Cleary]

08:22 PM on 02/13/2012

wow congrats!

[Yorksgal]

08:07 PM on 02/13/2012

What a lovely story - kudos to Rathskeller and good luck to Stefano.

[Nelle N]

08:03 PM on 02/13/2012

Aw good for him! I'm also a 19 year old full-time college student. But I have the help of my mom and Financial Aid to help me through. I'm definitely and forever will be grateful. =)

[hopein2012]

12:01 AM on 02/14/2012

agreed. i had parents who could pay for my college and i am so very grateful for that. i took it for granted at the time but no longer.

[cmel57]

07:58 PM on 02/13/2012

$ 1000.00 will help pay for his books and a little more.

[BloodGlutton]

08:46 AM on 02/14/2012

It would go further at a community college. Why try to tear this down, anyway?

[smylee]

12:09 AM on 02/15/2012

And it's a $1000 he didn't have yesterday.

[Cajun 88]

07:24 PM on 02/13/2012

This sets a great example for all of the Greedy CEOS in this country

[sexyspeedcat1]

06:48 PM on 02/13/2012

That was such a nice thing that Rathskellers did for that young man! Maybe he will repay the kindness someday to a person who is in his shoes. He sounds like a smart man and I hope he succeeds in his studies..:)