Mt. Pleasant resident brings smiles with clown outfit

MT. PLEASANT - For Mt. Pleasant resident Chad Fountain, being silly and making people laugh is what keeps his spirits up in tough times.

'I can't stand sadness and especially in these last couple of weeks, I've really been trying to go out of my way … I just do what I can to bring smiles,” he said.

When the state shutdown began, Fountain said he began brainstorming ways to bring some joy to his customers. Anyone who frequents Mt. Pleasant's Gasland during Fountain's shifts will be greeted with him in full clown makeup.

'Even as a kid, my senior year of high school, I was voted most likely to be a rodeo clown,” Fountain explained.

The gas station employee said he began wearing the costume two weeks after the initial closures began and what started as a one-day idea has continued through the reopening of the state.

'I got so tired of everybody being in bad moods and coming in here. The whole world was messed up at the time and people were down and I broke the outfit out,” he said.

Though Fountain has tried out different themes and outfits, he's noticed most people 'seem to like the clown though - makes them feel good.”

Fountain was in his funny get-up this past Wednesday afternoon as he helped check out customers.

Samantha McCraw, a regular of Gasland, said she enjoys the costume and appreciates it when she's feeling upset about the state of the world.

'Especially if I'm not feeling or if I'm just kind of down in the dumps, I love seeing it - it makes me feel better,” she said.

Gasland manager Zurt Sammons also echoed support and is a fan of the costume.

'I like it. The customers like it and it brings a smile to faces. Like Chad said, with things the way they are right now, that's a good thing … I get a lot of comments from customers - all positive. We're glad he does it,” Sammons said.

Fountain added he plans to continue with his costume for the time being and doesn't know when he'll be hanging up his rainbow wig and face paint.

'My catchphrase is ‘stay safe and keep smiling.' I say it as everyone walks out the door,” he said