RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A Waffle House waitress has received a $1,000 Mother’s Day tip directly from her customer after the restaurant refused to give it to her because it was left on a credit card.

Shaina Brown was working the night shift in Raleigh when a man left her the tip. But the Waffle House tells The Raleigh News & Observer (http://bit.ly/1hEUWgk ) that it refunds large tips unless they’re paid by cash or check to avoid disputes about charges.

Brown tells WTVD-TV in Raleigh (http://tinyurl.com/oax5mba) she was humiliated when the restaurant refused to give her the money.

She says she got a call last week from her customer, who wants to remain anonymous. She says he had heard about her problems and wrote her a check directly.

Brown calls the man a hero.

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