Former Walmart Greeter Greeting Once Again for the Holidays

By Carmella Mattaloni of WNEP-TV

EAST STROUDSBURG  -- With a ring of his bell and a big smile on his face, East Stroudsburg native Danny Ockenhouse is back doing what he loves -- greeting people!

"It feels good to be back out and getting into good mischief," said Danny.

Danny was let go from his greeter position at Walmart over the summer after the company made changes to its employee duties policy. Confined to a wheelchair with cerebral palsy, he was unable to meet the new requirements for the job.

Many people were upset to see him go, especially since he held the position for more than 20 years.

But now he's back for the holiday season, volunteering for the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign outside K-Mart in East Stroudsburg.

"It feels really good because I felt naked without my job. I really did. I mean my job was a good, big part of my life, so, yeah, this feels really good and really special," said Ockenhouse.

Danny's longtime friend, Jack Aeberly, from East Stroudsburg, is happy to see him back to his old tricks.

"I used to push him to Walmart, in the snow and all. You know, for years I have known him," said Aeberly.

This isn't the first year Danny has volunteered for Red Kettle; in fact, he's been doing it for eight years.

This year is especially important for him and people at the Salvation Army agree.

"He's got such a great attitude on life and it doesn't matter what happens to him because he maintains a positive attitude and I just think people enjoy seeing and talking to him," said Major James Gingrich, Salvation Army Core Commanding Officer, Monroe County.

"If they could find something for me to do year round, I'd do it," said Ockenhouse.

Danny tells Newswatch 16, he hopes to continue volunteering for the Salvation Army whenever they need him--doing what he loves and greeting those who enjoy seeing him back.

Story and Video from WNEP-TV