Four Crossing Guards Take Home Top Honours in National Contest

FedEx Express Canada and Safe Kids Canada announced today the winners of Canada’s Favourite Crossing Guard Contest.  

Carl Edquist of Scarborough, Ont.; Stafford Hope of Toronto, Ont.; Alma-Jane (AJ) Martin of Brampton, Ont.; and Deanna Gay of Burnaby, B.C., have given a combined 53 years of crossing guard service to their communities.
“Canada’s Favourite Crossing Guard Contest is a way for FedEx and Safe Kids to raise awareness about the important role crossing guards play in preventing traffic injuries by creating a path of safety for our kids to get to and from school,” said Lisa Lisson, president of FedEx Express Canada.

“It’s also a unique way for our communities to say ‘thanks’ to a group of incredibly dedicated men and women who dedicate their time to keep the roads in our school zones safe.”

The annual contest encourages schools, students, teachers and parents from across Canada to nominate exceptional crossing guards in their community.  It’s part of the Walk This Way pedestrian safety program launched by FedEx Express Canada and Safe Kids Canada, aimed at reducing pedestrian injuries to Canadian children by  raising motorist awareness and making school zones more ‘walkable’.  The program also teaches children pedestrian safety tips.

“As the world's largest express transportation company, FedEx Express puts safety above all, both in the workplace and in the communities in which we operate.  We employ more than 6,000 people who drive and walk in thousands of Canadian communities every day, so safety is essential in our work,” said Lisson.

FedEx Express Canada and Safe Kids Canada received hundreds of nominations from students, teachers, and parents across Canada, praising their crossing guards’ ability to go above and beyond the call of duty.  The winners were selected based on their exceptional care and concern when helping children cross the street.

"This contest recognizes the men and women who help make a difference in our communities," said Pamela Fuselli, executive director of Safe Kids Canada.  "These four individuals, along with every crossing guard in the country, go to work every day, rain or shine, snow or slush, to ensure the safety of our children.  They deserve to be applauded for all their great work."

The following individuals have been recognized for their outstanding contribution to the community and named one of Canada’s favourite crossing guards:

• Carl Edquist is the crossing guard for St. Malachy Catholic School in Scarborough, Ontario.  He comes out to the school sporting events to cheer them on and attends the graduations to say bye to the students leaving for high school.  Carl has been a crossing guard for four years and knows everybody by name and helps the elderly, people with baby strollers, and even helps people carry grocery bags across the street.  He trains new crossing guards and teaches them to safely stop the traffic; he always reminds students of the safety rules.
• Stafford Hope is the crossing guard for Runnymede Jr. & Sr. Public School in Toronto, Ontario. He has ensured the safety of the children, parents, teachers, and community at large for 15 years.  Stafford greets everyone by name and embraces them with a warm smile as he safely helps kids cross the street at the busy four-way intersection.  His positive energy and promotion of peace and love are reflected in the songs that he sings as he does his job.
• Alma-Jane (AJ) Martin is the crossing guard for McHugh Public School in Brampton, Ontario. She has been a crossing guard for 25 years and always has a smile on her face.  She ensures that the street is safe for children to cross and always greets everyone at her crosswalk.  She helps people who are in need and is always there to listen or to offer advice.  The students look up to AJ as a great role model and the parents feel assured knowing that their children are safely crossing the busy intersection to and from school since AJ is always there looking out for them.  
• Deanna Gay is the crossing guard for Windsor Elementary School in Burnaby, British Columbia. She has been a crossing guard for nine years and always ensures that children cross at the crosswalk and reminds their parents to avoid jay-walking or parking in “no-parking” zones. Deanna teaches each child to look both ways before crossing the road in an effort to teach them the skills they need when walking in the neighbourhood.  She is also in communication with the City bylaw officials to regularly discuss safety issues.  Deanna has great school spirit and volunteers at many of the school events, including Christmas concerts, volunteer tea, graduations, etc.

The contest winners will receive a crystal maple leaf award and each school will receive $1,000 provided by FedEx Express Canada.

Read the media release

Published: Thu, Dec 15, 2011