Tom Selleck Leaves $2020 Tip for Restaurant as a Part of the 2020 Tip Challenge

"Blue Bloods" star Tom Selleck joined in on the 2020 Tip Challenge, the latest in a string of celebrities who used the challenge to help others during the pandemic filled year.

On Thursday, Donnie Wahlberg shared that his "Blue Bloods" dad, Tom Selleck, recently left the staff at Elio's restaurant in New York city a lofty $2,020 tip after spending $204,68 on the bill.

Selleck visited the restaurant a few months ago but kept the act of kindness to himself. Because Wahlberg inspired the participation in the 2020 Tip Challenge, Selleck sent him a note of thanks and the receipt.

HOW THE CHALLENGE STARTED

The 2020 Tip Challenge gained momentum at the beginning of January 2020, when Danielle Franzoni, a server working at Thunder Bay River Restaurant in Michigan, received a $2,020 tip on a small bill of $23.

The money helped change Franzoni's future, and she decided to share her story and to pay it forward by tipping another server $20,20 on a bill a few days later.

On January 2, Wahlberg and his wife, Jenny McCarthy, kept the challenge's momentum going by tipping their IHOP server in St. Charles, Illinois, $2,020.

Three days later, Harry Styles followed suit while on vacation in Anguilla. Spending time with his friends Adele and James Corden in the idyllic location, they also left a $2,020 after having dinner worth $472,50.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

Last month, Wahlberg spent $35,27 at Marshland restaurant in Massachusetts and again left his server a tip of $2,020. Despite working closely with Selleck, Wahlberg had no idea he partook as well.

"Tom never mentioned it to me. We've done three [Blue Bloods] dinner scenes since he did it, and he never told me," Wahlberg told PEOPLE.

Sharing a picture of Selleck's note to him, and the receipt, Wahlberg thanked everyone who contributed to the challenge, which he didn't start himself, but is proud to be a part of adding:

"I found out that my TV Dad Tom Selleck has generously accepted the #2020TipChallenge at Elios Upper East Side! Love ya dad."

WANT TO HELP?

Los Angeles radio host Lisa Foxx spoke about the challenge, noting that anyone can adapt its interpretation to suit their means. Even $20,20 can be a steep gesture for many.

Instead, those wanting to help can volunteer 20 hours or 20 days of their time, or even 20 kind gestures to a stranger, as the things that impact us the most don't cost anything.

Catherine Knight and her son, Parker, chose a touching way to help brighten the days of others. After making personalized, and brightly colored cards, the pair wrote messages to anyone who reads them.

Then, Knight and Parker went to Houston Airport, where they handed the cards out to random strangers traveling and stressed amid the difficulties the novel coronavirus brought into so many lives.