North Battleford Walmart greeter honoured after outpouring of community support

Thomas started in the meat department before moving to the sales floor. Today, he’s the first person customers see as he welcomes them through the front door as the official Walmart Greeter.

“I like greeting at the door because I get to talk to a lot of people, meet good people who come shopping, and welcome them in and out,” he said.

Thomas’s impact stretches beyond the store’s front entrance. In recent weeks, hundreds of people shared stories on Facebook about how his kindness had brightened their day or helped them through difficult moments.

“There were a few times I was having bad days, but walking into Walmart and seeing Iver, how happy and welcoming he is, just made me feel instantly better and reminded me there are still kind people out there,” Kya Pooyak wrote.

“Iver has brightened up some pretty dark days for me with his genuine kindness. I bet he does that for a lot of people. He truly has the best energy. Such a good reminder that kindness has a real impact,” Bre How commented.

“He is one of the reasons why I go to Walmart in North Battleford to visit my buddy Iver,” Willie Lariviere wrote. “He is such a friendly man who greets everyone with a big smile. We speak Cree and share a few laughs every time we meet. He’s one of a kind.”

Thomas said treating others with kindness and respect is something he learned from his parents while growing up with 11 siblings.

“I always thank my mom and dad for the way they raised us. We’re just following in their footsteps. They got along with everybody and were always well-natured.”

To recognize Thomas’ impact on customers, store management compiled many of the Facebook comments and presented them to him in a framed display.

“I wasn’t expecting management to come and show me all these comments,” Thomas said. “I’m overwhelmed. It was pretty exciting. I enjoy reading them. It brought tears to my eyes.”

Store manager Daniel Leadbetter said the idea came after an assistant store manager noticed the overwhelming response Thomas received whenever he was mentioned on the local group pages.

“She wanted to gather them all together and present them to him. Now I feel like she has to make another one because when it got posted, I think it’s over 200 comments on that one in the last three days since we presented that to him,” he said with a laugh.

Leadbetter said having an employee like Thomas makes his job easier every day, describing him as someone who always arrives with a smile and is eager to help wherever he can.

“Iver is really good at making people feel welcome,” he said. “As he transitioned to the door because of health issues, he’s spent his time greeting customers and making them feel warm and welcome. He tends to make people feel like family.”

After nearly seven years with Walmart, Thomas said he simply wants to keep greeting customers the way his parents taught him, with kindness and respect. Judging by the hundreds of comments from grateful shoppers, it’s a small gesture that has left a lasting impression on his community.

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Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com

by Alyssa Rudolph

North Battleford Walmart greeter honoured after outpouring of community support

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