RALEIGH, N.C. —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 refunds large tips unless they’re paid by cash or check to avoid disputes about charges.

Brown said 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.