Community Steps In For Morristown Movie Ticket-Taker Who Became Homeless

MORRISTOWN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Before the previews and popcorn at the AMC movie theater in Morristown, New Jersey, moviegoers see ticket-taker Eric Glover.

As CBS2's Mark Morgan reported, Glover is well-liked and known for his kindness – but he has fallen on hard times. Now, his community wants to help.

"If he's not here, then it's kind of like an empty spot you know? Because when he's here, it's always more fun," said Soary Andino.

Indeed, Glover has become a celebrity the Morristown theater as he greets customers with a smile and much more.

"When you give your ticket over, he's making the sounds and the comments," said Darin Williams of Morristown. "He'll try to double pull it away from you -- the tickets. It just makes it fun. It's an added layer of excitement."

And in a touching act of kindness, the community has now come together to help Glover, who became homeless about 10 months ago when a relative he was staying with became sick.

One moviegoer launched a GoFundMe website, and more than $30,000 has been raised in just a few days. It is a testament to resident's affection for the man nicknamed "Fluffy."

"It means a whole lot to me. It shows me how everybody is giving me very much love and generosity, and I want to thank everybody who's done it for me so far," Glover said.

Almost everyone in Morristown who goes to the movies knows Glover.

"He's always happy; always in a good mood; always in good spirits," said Joe Myerjack of Waldwick, New Jersey. "I mean, he always makes my movie-going experience pleasurable."

"You walk away from him smiling, and from then on, you say, 'Hello, how are you?' when you see him around town," added Rudy Ioppolo of Morris Plains, New Jersey. "He's that type of person."

And Glover himself enjoys the job immensely.

"I feel like I'm in heaven the days I'm at my job – you know, the way people greet me, this and that," he said. "And best of all, when a lot of kids come around the corner and they see me, they say, 'Hey, that's my favorite ticket-taker,' and it makes me almost cry."

The donations are pouring in, with the ultimate goal of helping Glover find housing. So far, more than $825 people have donated.

Glover works at the theater part-time as his only job.