Stone's bartender continues tip tradition for local cancer patient

(MILLHOUSEN, Ind.) – A part-time bartender is continuing her annual tradition of donating her tips to a local cancer patient in October. 

Jessie (Schutte) Hamilton works full time for Schutte Excavating and bartends at Stone’s Family Restaurant in Millhousen on Thursdays. 

Her twin sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and Jessie heard about the expensive costs associated with chemotherapy. 

“My sister had several rounds of chemotherapy, upwards of 20 rounds I think, and she didn’t have health insurance and each round had cost around $7,000,” Jessie recalled. 

In October 2021, she came up with the idea of donating tips she received on Thursday’s that month to her sister. 

Her sister is now cancer-free and Jessie turned her initiative into an annual tradition to benefit others in the community. 

Each year, she picks a local woman who is battling cancer and then donates all of her October tips to that person. 

“The hardest part has been selecting the person for this every year as I know cancer impacts a lot of families locally,” Jessie admits. 

The South Decatur graduate knew exactly who to support this year. 

Lisa Huff has served as the South Decatur softball coach for more than 25 years and is currently battling cancer. 

“We grew up with her through our high school years. She coached me in basketball, softball and in life. I can’t imagine the amount of ladies she has mentored over the years,” Jessie said. 

She added, “Now it's my turn to pay her back.” 

Every tip that Jessie receives on Thursdays this month are going directly to Huff. 

Stone’s Family Restaurant is also donating 10 percent of their sales every Thursday in  October to Huff as well. 

During the first Thursday of the month last week, Jessie was able to collect around $1,000 for Huff. She is hoping for many more big crowds on October 8,15 and 22. 

Jessie describes it as an honor to support those battling cancer and said this is what the Millhousen community is all about. 

“I hope Lisa and the others know that there are a lot of people who are on their side and trying to help them get through this," she told The 812. 

Jessie added that every cancer patient she has chosen over the past 5 years are all doing great now. 

“That is a blessing and I’m very excited to let that be known too,”

Stone's is well-known for their famous fried chicken are located at 2376 East County Road 820 South in Greensburg. 

Their hours of operation are Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5-9 p.m. and they are also open on Friday and Saturday nights.

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RELATED: This isn't the first time Jessie has been on The 812! In 2022, she was recognized by the Bobcat Company for her role as a heavy equipment operator with Schutte Excavating. Read that story here.