The $100 Happy Hour
Nominations open through Nov 23

Omaha · Holiday season 2026

One night.One server.One envelope.

Every year we take over one section of one restaurant, and every guest puts a crisp $100 bill in a white envelope. At the end of the night, it goes to a highly deserving person who served us. They have no idea it's coming.

Most likely December 1–3, 2026 Exact date and venue sent by text and email once you're opted in.
Nominate someone I'm in

Who it's for

The people who never ask

The bartenders and servers working off nights before the holidays are often the ones stretched thinnest. They pick up every shift, and they're still glad to pour you a drink while carrying a lot of their own.

Facing eviction

Rent is due and the slow weeknight shifts aren't covering it.

Presents for the kids

Picking up doubles so there's something under the tree this year.

Medical bills

Carrying debt from an illness or a child's care that won't let up.

Taking care of family

Supporting kids, parents or siblings on tips alone.

Homeless

No stable place to live, sleeping in a car or on a friend's couch.

Travel to see family

Can't afford the trip home to be with family for the holidays.

Lack of transportation

No reliable car, and still finding a way to every shift.

Food insecurity

Serving meals all night and not sure about their own.

How it works

From nomination to envelope

  1. Nominate a server or bartender

    Know someone in the restaurant industry who could really use the help? Tell us their story with the nomination form below. Anyone can nominate, and there's no limit. Nominations close November 23.

  2. Say you're in

    Text YES or HUNDRED and your name and email to 402-850-1300, or reply YES on the Facebook post. The 1st, 5th and 10th people to opt in become pickers.

  3. The pickers choose

    Pickers get every nomination letter, with names removed. Together they narrow the stack down to one person. It's the hardest job of the year.

  4. We set up the shift

    We work with the venue so our recipient is scheduled to serve our section, and only our section, that night. You'll get a text and email with the location and date.

  5. Show up with a $100 bill

    That's the only thing everyone else has to do. Eat, drink, tab out like normal, and put your $100 in the envelope on the table. Hang out and wait until 10:30, when we announce to the individual serving our section that they are the recipient. Once you are opted in, you will get the time and date of the event by text and email.

The night of

Stay for the envelope

Our recipient works our section all night. Order and pay like you would anywhere. Appetizers are provided by Mark and Jen McCormack, and we'll be there to greet you and anyone you bring.

Around 10:30 or 11, we read the nomination letter out loud and hand over the envelope. That's the moment. Trust me, you want to be there for it. Tears are usually flowing, and it's a great night to be thankful.

Guest check · Our section
Your drinksTab as usual
AppetizersProvided by Mark & Jen McCormack
A few roundsTab as usual
Stay for the envelopePriceless!
For the envelope$100.00
Crisp bills, please · Envelope ~10:30 PM

The one rule

Don't tell your server

Not a hint, not a wink. The staff usually figures we've got the world's biggest bowl pool going and they're just happy to have a big table. Let them think that. The surprise is the whole night for the rest of the group.

Last time

Our last recipient had her apartment burn down and was living on a friend's couch.

As a single mom, she was hoping to take her 3 children to Starbucks for a Christmas meal and coffee. She was doing this all while smiling and making sure our glasses were full.

This is a chance to do something for those who never ask for anything and still show up and get it done.

Nominations · Closes Nov 23

Tell us their story

Write it the way you'd tell a friend. Your letter is what the pickers read, and if your nominee is chosen, it's read aloud the night we hand over the envelope.

  • Pickers read every letter with names removed.
  • Anyone can nominate, as many people as you like.
  • Your nominee won't be contacted. It stays a surprise.
About you
Have you nominated this person before? *
About your nominee
Does this person have kids / dependents? *
We use this to set up their shift. We never tell them why.
What nights does this person work? *
Does this restaurant/bar serve food? *
The letter
0 words
References

Two people who can verify this information.

Reference 1
Reference 2

Get involved

Two ways in

RSVP by text

Text YES or HUNDRED and your name and email to:

402-850-1300
Text YES

The 1st, 5th and 10th people to say yes become pickers. You will be sent all the nominations and together select a unanimous recipient.

We will notify everyone of the exact date, time and location of the event by text message and email once it is set with the restaurant or bar.

Nominate someone

Tell us their story. What they're carrying, and why they deserve a night like this.

Write a nomination

Nominations close November 23, 2026.

Pitch in

Want to help? We love help!

There are lots of ways to help with the $100 Happy Hour. We will recognize anyone at the event who helps make this a great night.

Spread the word

Simply help get information to the restaurants and to the people who know these servers and bartenders best, so we get the best nominees each year. Only one person receives the envelope each year, but we've thought about doing this 2–3 times a year.

Just let us know. Jeff and Leanne Allen will be happy to help you get what you need.

Leanne Allen · Cell 402-880-1413

Text Leanne

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Who can nominate?
Anyone. Nominate as many people as you like.
Who can be nominated?
Servers and bartenders working in restaurants and bars who need help this holiday season.
Are nominations private?
Yes. Pickers read the letters without names until a selection is made.
How do I say I'm in?
Text YES or HUNDRED and your name and email to 402-850-1300, or reply YES on the Facebook post.
How are the pickers chosen?
The 1st, 5th and 10th people to opt in become pickers. They read every letter and choose one recipient together.
When and where is it?
Most likely between December 1 and December 3, 2026. The exact date and venue are set after the pick, and everyone who opts in gets a text and email.
What do I need to bring?
A crisp $100 bill for the white envelope on the table. That's it.
Do I pay for my own food and drinks?
Yes, tab out as normal. Appetizers are provided by Mark and Jen McCormack.
What time should I stay until?
Around 10:30, when we announce to the person serving our section that they are the recipient and hand over the envelope. It's the best part of the night.
Can I tell our server what's going on?
Please don't. The surprise is the whole night. Most staff assume we have a big bowl pool going.
Can I bring people?
Please do. Just make sure they bring their $100 too. If you only want to do $100 for a couple, that is fine as well. We just want to keep with the theme of $100.
Is this taxable?
100% of the money goes to the server. And with the new No Tax on Tips deduction, they can deduct tips like these from their federal income tax, so they keep more of it. It's a night that can truly impact their life.
Who do I contact with questions?
Text Mark at 402-850-1300
or Leanne at 402-880-1413