On a chilly morning in Barre , Vermont , a random act of kindness warmed the hearts of strangers and spurred another -- and another after that . Kathleen Connors stopped at L & M Diner on Saturday after a 12-hour overnight shift at Central Vermont Medical Center , where she works as a surgical nurse . `` She got her usual breakfast , '' L & M manager Tayler Merriam told CNN . `` Hot chocolate with extra whipped cream , a plain pancake and table syrup . '' Connors got up to pay her bill , but instead of paying for just herself , she footed the bill for a nearby pair who appeared to be father and son , whom she did n't know . `` I was looking around aimlessly and I had a pocket full of bingo winnings , '' Connors said . `` It 's nice to see a family come together on the weekend . '' After paying $ 40 for both meals , she got in her truck and went home without a thought . What she did n't know was that her generosity would be repeated -- 46 times -- in the span of 6 hours . `` It was a shocker , '' Merriam said , `` It started at 7:30 in the morning and lasted until 10 ( minutes ) after 2 , and we close at 3 . '' Customer leaves $ 1,000 tip for dog 's surgery . L & M Diner is a relatively small establishment . Housing just 13 booths and 11 seats at the counter , it 's the type of joint that attracts local regulars . Connors is a regular , and she 's known around Barre for her `` bubbly '' personality and easygoing nature , according to Merriam . `` I see a lot of people in the restaurant business and she 's one of those people you can carry on a conversation with , '' Merriam said . Connors moved to Vermont 10 months ago after living in Massachusetts for the majority of her life . She stops at L & M Diner about twice a week after her shifts at the hospital , just like she did Saturday . `` This is my way of showing my appreciation for Vermont . I love Vermont and I could n't be happier . I love where I work , I love where I live and I love the people around me , '' Connors told CNN affiliate WCAX .
A Vermont nurse paid for another table 's meal at a diner after work . Almost 50 other diners at the restaurant kept the 'pay it forward ' chain alive . Kathleen Connors says she did n't know her generosity would go so far .