The owner of The Orchid Steakhouse, Samantha Gangewere, has unveiled her heartwarming plans to make this Christmas special for two families in need. In addition to paying their rent, she intends to provide gifts and essential items.
Samantha, a former model turned chef with a significant Instagram following (@thatboostedchick), gained attention previously for sharing her secret recipe for a delectable beef wellington, boldly claiming it to be superior to Gordon Ramsay’s.
At 31 years old, Samantha, who has amassed two million Instagram followers, recently realized her dream career by launching her steak restaurant, The Orchid Steakhouse. With the holiday season just around the corner, she is now dedicated to giving back to her local community.
Drawing inspiration from her family, Samantha recalls the charitable efforts of her parents and grandparents during Christmas. Despite financial constraints, her family always contributed to charitable causes, offering rides to those in need and donating to churches.
- Advertisement -
Samantha cherishes the memories of her grandparents, who were actively involved in charitable activities, such as meals-on-wheels and providing extra snacks to soup kitchens. Reflecting on her childhood, she expresses a profound love for Christmas, emphasizing that, despite economic challenges, the focus was always on family and the joy of being together during the festive season.
In her own words, Samantha shares, “I absolutely loved Christmas. It was always spent with my parents and grandparents on both sides, but the adults worked so much [over the holidays]. The occasion was never about gifts, more so just being with family, which I’m learning even more as I get older.”
Recently, Samantha and her husband, Genc Gashi, aged 26, took a reflective look at their lives and felt a strong desire to make a positive impact in their neighborhood, driven by the belief that “everyone deserves love.”
In a widely-viewed Instagram clip, garnering 68,000 views and over 1,000 likes, Samantha discusses their selfless initiative. The couple, based in Emmaus, Philadelphia, has decided to contribute by donating 50% of their appetizer sales every Tuesday throughout December. The accumulated funds, currently amounting to $5,000 (USD) (£4,000), will be handed over to two chosen families in need just two days before Christmas, allowing them the flexibility to use it for rent, gifts, or any other necessities.
Expressing their goal to double the amount in the upcoming week, Samantha encourages people to visit the restaurant between 5pm-9.30pm on Tuesdays to have their purchases contribute to the donation pool. The selection of the two families will be based on inquiries received through either Samantha’s social media channels or the Lehigh Valley Food group.
- Advertisement -
Grateful for the opportunities in her life, Samantha acknowledges the prevailing cost-of-living crisis and expresses her gratitude for being able to give back to the community during the holiday season. While she typically focuses on year-round donations to animals in need and raises awareness about animal abuse through her platform, the restaurant now plays a crucial role in their annual commitment to supporting two families at Christmas.
Reflecting on the challenges of today’s economic landscape, Samantha emphasizes the substantial increase in the cost of essentials like gas and rent. Grateful for her good fortune, she recognizes the recent loss of her grandparents and the valuable lessons they imparted. Despite facing the difficulties of inflation and launching a restaurant during a recession, Samantha acknowledges that many families are enduring even greater struggles.
Offering a heartfelt reminder, Samantha underscores the importance of love and health during the holiday season. Drawing from personal experiences, she encourages people to cherish their loved ones, indulge in quality time, and savor delicious home-cooked food.
- Advertisement -
The comment section has become a hub of positive reactions, with users expressing admiration for Samantha’s generosity. Jacqui expresses her support, stating, “LOVE THIS! Checking my sched.”
Mitchell echoes the sentiment, saying, “I love your heart!!!” Patrycia commends Samantha’s efforts, adding a heart hand emoji, and Micko applauds her, saying, “Well done sweetheart, that is amazing, I love that helping people out, you go girl.” Another commenter extends blessings to Samantha and her entire staff, emphasizing her awesome contributions.
READ MORE: Greasy spoon serving up Christmas dinner breakfasts again at 4am and Apprentice star is fan
