• Knowing and cheerfully greeting each guest has been his committed work.
Some days, he’s been the Easter Bunny, or some days, Santa’s Elf. He’s been a Halloween ghoul and a Leprechaun, worn colorful hats and shiny jackets. But the most brilliant part of each costume has been his smile, which is filled with genuine interest and sincere delight in greeting each person as they have come through the door.
Dan Neumann is that rare individual who takes his job and makes it meaningful for everyone. As the greeter for Broulim’s in Afton, Neumann has made friends with young and old patrons alike, brightening their day and helping them feel warmly welcomed to the store. After two years at his post, however, Neumann is retiring from Broulim’s.
Neumann’s friend, Sarah McClure, contacted SVI Media hoping to share with the community her feelings about the contribution that Neumann has made to folks of all ages in his short years at Broulim’s. She is so impressed by his friendship with “the high school students and how much he supports and loves them. Every time people come in, he cheers them up and he’s just been such a fun contributor to our community,” McClure shared in an interview last week.
Neumann has served as greeter at Broulim’s for the last two years. He and his wife moved to Star Valley from Rexburg in 2018, after he had served on the Custodial and Maintenance staff at BYU-Idaho and Rick’s College for 45 years. He not only served in maintaining and repairing electrical, plumbing and facilities upkeep, but he was also an integral part of supporting students with emotional and mental health.
“They used me to help counsel kids who were having problems,” Neumann shared. “I like helping people and solving problems, so I am kind of like a handyman [for the heart]. When I worked at the college, the psychology department felt that kids somehow would trust me more than the psychologist, and then I would send them to counselors to help them out.”
Neumann is too humble to believe that he’s anything extraordinary, but that’s not the word on the street among young and old alike. “One of my favorite things about Dan is how much he loves the high school kids,” said McClure. “He knows their names, he gives them high fives, and a couple of times he’s dressed up as some of the players on game day. He’ll wear a Star Valley Jersey for football or basketball and they just love him. I just think that’s so cool. He gives candy to the kids and he cheers people up as they come in and he talks to them and I just feel like that is what I love about him.”
Neumann spoke with tender emotion as he contemplated the change in his employment, and expressed gratitude to Broulim’s for the opportunity to be part of the community in such a meaningful and personal way. “It has really blessed my life getting know and being able to serve the people here. I want to tell the community that I love them. I really, really care a lot about them all, the kids and the little kids and the older people. I just love the whole community, and I want to thank them for their friendship. It’s a good part of my life.” He decided long ago that he would choose to be a cheerful person, “a happy, happy person.” He’s made it a priority to live in positivity. “A smile goes a long way. I just want the community to know that I love them and I appreciate them and I thank them for all the good times we had together.”
