BARRE, Vt. - It was a secret act of kindness that lifted spirits in Barre and has been shared more than 5,000 times on Facebook.

Kathleen Connors has a thing for bingo and doing good.

"I have been on a lucky streak with bingo and I had a pocket full of money and I like to pay it forward," said Connors, a Central Vermont Medical Center nurse.

And Saturday morning over breakfast at the L&M diner in Barre she had an idea.

"I said to the waitress 'I think I'll take care of their bill.' She says, 'do you know them?' I said, 'no, I just wanted to do it,'" Connors explained.

But when she left what she didn't realize was that her simple act of picking up the tab for a father and son she didn't know would take off in a big way. Nearly 50 additional tables followed her lead, treating folks to a meal on the house.

"Like I said before I only thought a couple tables did it, but as the day went on it kept going and going and going," said Tayler Merriam, a waitress at L&M.

"I am speechless, I'm euphoric. It's just insane," said Connors.

When Connors returned to work at CVMC Sunday night after a weekend in Massachusetts she was in for a surprise.

"I came in to work the other night and everyone was giving me kudos and high-fives. I'm like what are you talking about and then it got back to me and I was like I never told anyone," said Connors.

But when co-workers and friends heard a nurse was behind the simple act of kindness they knew it had to be Connors.

"She always has a great personality when she comes in. Always wicked bubbly, always good morning and a smile on her face," said Merriam

The constant optimism, caring heart and generous spirit might be hard to come by for those in similar shoes. Connors made the move to Barre from Massachusetts looking for a fresh start after more than a year without work.

"I came here 10 months ago because I had no job and I took on a big move and I had nothing when I came here and it was my way of wanting to pay it forward and make someone else feel good the way I feel good. I am very grateful," said Connors.

She says buying breakfast for a family she didn't know was the least she could do for a community that's welcomed her as one of its own.

"This is my way of showing my appreciation for Vermont. I love Vermont and I couldn't be happier. I love where I work, I love where I live and I love the people around me," said Connors.

It's love that started in a dinner and is now inspiring others all over the world.