Something incredible happened in Windsor, Ontario, over the weekend. A regular lunch turned into a moment of pure generosity when an American couple decided to pay for every single meal in a busy restaurant. Their reason? A deep love for Canada, support for local businesses, and disappointment with their country’s politics.
It all happened at Toast, a popular spot on Erie Street. The restaurant was packed during the lunch rush when co-owner May Hermiz got an unexpected request.
The couple approached Hermiz and told her they wanted to cover the cost of every meal in the restaurant. “I was kind of stunned because nobody has ever done that in our nine years of being in business, nobody has ever paid for the whole restaurant.” She said.
As the announcement was made, diners looked around in disbelief. Then, a woman sitting at a back table stood up to explain.
“She hates what the United States is doing to us,” Hermiz recalled. “She doesn’t support it.. and it’s a little token of appreciation for Canadians and how much she loves us and how much she loves supporting local.”
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The room erupted into cheers and applause. What started as a normal lunch became something unforgettable.
Irene Chyz was celebrating a friend’s birthday when it all unfolded.
“We were just so taken back. You’ve never heard of such a thing, and it was just wonderful to experience it,” she said. “We noticed that people were starting to leave and go over and thank them for what they had done… My friend and I went over, and we gave our thanks to them, gave them a big hug, and they were just such warm, lovely, lovely people..”
That’s when she learned their names—Sarah and Bill—from Ann Arbor, Michigan. They had driven an hour to visit Canada and uniquely show their support.
The couple’s kindness came at a tense time. Just days earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new 25% tariff on most Canadian imports.
“This is an abuse that took place for many, many years,” Trump told reporters. “The tariffs will go forward, yes, and we’re going to make up a lot of territory.”
Many Canadians were frustrated. Sarah and Bill were, too. But instead of just complaining, they decided to take action—with kindness.
When she heard the news, Aileen Ganley-Mutter was at the restaurant with her godchildren.
“We were all kind of shocked because that doesn’t happen because there’s about 50 to 60 people in there.,” she said.
Wanting to help, she tried to leave money for the tip, but Sarah and Bill refused.
“They said, ‘No, that’s the least we could do,’” she recalled. “They weren’t going to stop supporting Canada and loving Canada, and they felt bad for the rift that it was causing.”
Ganley-Mutter later shared the experience on social media, calling it a rare “good news story.”
Sure, free food is excellent. But this wasn’t just about a meal but about kindness, connection, and goodwill. Governments may argue, but everyday people can still choose compassion.
And let’s not forget, the couple also mentioned how happy they were that Canada had recently won a hockey game. (Priorities, right?)
So if you ever hear about two kind Americans named Sarah and Bill, know they’re the kind of people who put their money where their heart is. And if you ever get the chance to spread kindness, take it.
Featured image via Screengrab
