— For nearly 20 years, Emil Farag greeted customers at a Kroger on Six Forks Road in Raleigh with a familiar grin and a familiar phrase.

"He would say, 'Hello my angel. Hello my brother,'" Vanessa Jeter said.

"He made everyone feel like they were part of the family," said Steven Woods.

Farag touched people's lives, and now members of the community are hoping to return the favor.

The husband and father of two had to quit his job after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The word spread, and a GoFundMe was created. In just two days, more than $20,000 was raised.

"What speaks volumes is how something so little as saying hi to someone, and being nice to someone, and asking someone how their day is can go such a long day," said Justin Miller.

Farag said it is all about loving one another.

"I give them love. How can we love each other? That's why I start my expression, 'Hi, my angel. Hi, my brother,'" said Farag.

Farag's philosophy on life has always been simple.

"Loving and happiness won't cost you anything. It's free," he said.

Farag starts his second round of chemotherapy next week and is optimistic.

As for the community, they hope to have a big gathering to present him with the money they raised and say thank you to the man who made them feel good for so many years.