By Kevin Coughlin
Maybe Eric Glover should run for president.
In just two days, fans of Morristown’s “Ticket-Taker Guy” have contributed more than $20,000 to an online campaign to help him secure housing.
“I’ve been homeless for 10 months,” said Glover, better known as “Fluffy” to a generation of movie-goers at Headquarters Plaza, where his pantomime ticket-punching routine has become as ingrained as the Coming Attractions.
Glover, 54, said on Sunday he still has his part-time gig with the AMC Headquarters Plaza 10. It’s housing that he needs– and it doesn’t have to be the White House. A simple room for rent would suffice.
Until last March he was living with a cousin, he said. But the cousin got ill, and the house was sold. Since then, Glover said, he’s been crashing with friends or staying at the Homeless Solutions shelter in Morris Township.
When it rains, it pours. (This weekend, it snows.) Glover said his beloved car –the Caddy that a local bar gave him for his 50th birthday–needs repairs, too.
Nearly 600 people have donated to the GoFundMe drive, contributing from $7 to $500 apiece. Lidia Udrija, a Fluffy fan, started the campaign. The initial solicitation incorrectly stated that Glover had lost his job, an assertion that angered a few donors who saw him at work.
Udrija said it was a misunderstanding.
“I never tried to mislead anyone. I just knew he needed help and did what I could,” she said, noting that GoFundMe will send the money directly to Glover.
Udrija said she wished she could more, but she too is struggling to get by.
“I hope that by doing this not only does it help Mr. Glover, but it helps bring the community together to know that together we can make the world a better place,” she said via email.
‘A HUMBLE SOUL’
Glover’s daughter posted that her dad is so modest, and naturally cheerful, that he kept his housing problems a secret from her, she said. Glover’s son posted that he, too, was surprised to learn of his father’s situation.
Sereka Monet praised the former Morristown High football player and wished him well, reflecting sentiments of most contributors.
“Eric is a real person with a real life situation that anyone could find themselves in at some point in life,” Monet posted.
“Let us not judge him. He is a humble soul that always has a positive attitude regardless of his status. I have known him for many years and he always makes time for people and put[s] a smile on my son’s face when we go to the movies or see him in town, which is priceless. Let’s pray for him and encourage him with kind words.”
At least one man on the fundraising site offered a spare room to Glover, and a realtor offered to waive her finder’s fee. If you have a long-term room available, you can post it on the GoFundMe page, or drop us a line and we will forward your information.
MORE ABOUT ERIC ‘FLUFFY’ GLOVER
HAPPIER TIMES: Eric ‘Fluffy’ Glover gets a big gift on his Big 5-0
Dear Anonymous,
Since you’ve never heard of Homeless Solutions, I recommend you check out their website and learn how you can help. https://www.homelesssolutions.org/about-us/
For over 30 years, Homeless Solutions has been providing shelter, services as well as support to the homeless and working poor in Morristown and the County. I’ve been a community volunteer in Morristown for close to 30 years and have always found most residents to be kind and generous whether they are writing checks, serving meals at the soup kitchen, running fundraisers or helping in some small way. Why don’t you get involved instead of complaining.
Dear Anonymous,
I think we should applaud all kind acts-for the humble and the “famous.” Who are you to classify people as “too famous” for others to help? Secondly, since when does ripping tickets at a movie theater qualify one as too famous for us to help. This is a common humble working class person being helped by other common people in a simple act of human kindness. Just because a person might be well known doesn’t mean he or she is less worthy to receive a charitable gift. People are merely giving for the sake of giving. I don’t see where anyone is feeding off Eric’s fame or “wealth,” for he has no fame and wealth to offer. In reality, this is total selflessness. To your other “well thought out” argument: there are many wonderful things being done for the homeless of Morristown. Have you ever volunteered at the community soup kitchen, dropped off a bag of food at the interfaith food pantry, a bag of clothes at the Salvation Army? Or have you thought about giving toiletries and toys to the battered womens’ shelter, or maybe dropped off a Thanksgiving turkey at Market Street mission, or maybe you’ve volunteered to drive your car and deliver food for meals on wheels? No? You haven’t ‘seen’ these things? Perhaps you should position yourself so you can see these kind acts.
There is always someone who has to piss on Everyone’s Parade (The First Anonymous Comment)…..This is a piece about a guy we grew up with. He’s one of the nicest guys you’ve ever met, and a dude that I never saw frowning. Even when I could tell he was sad.
People aren’t donating money because he is homeless. They are donating because he’s such a great dude, and everyone that’s ever met him will say so. And for being such a great guy, people are donating. People will always want to help the ones that stick out in society as truly nice people…..This isn’t about homeless people in general…..And if you want a Fundraiser for the Homeless, you start a Fundraiser, and give your money to them. Stop being so lazy expecting others to do it, and give money in your place, that’s how I can tell you’re a Leftist. You don’t set an Example, you’re just the guy in the background saying “Someone ought to do something good. It won’t be me, but someone should”….Shut up.
I love how people band together for iconic people, famous people, or just well known people. What about the other hundreds of homeless people out there that can’t provide for themselves? Who have no homes? Have no one funding them? I don’t see any Morristown residents coming to their aid! I love Eric as much as the next person but I want to use him as an example of how wrong we are to think that just cause a person is famous or well known that we should only help them then?! For what? So we too can get noticed and possible feed off of their fame? Their wealth? We fail as people, as individuals, and as human beings. HELP THE OTHER HOMELESS IN MORRISTOWN! Start fundraisers for them!