THUNDER BAY – In the hot sun of September or the blizzards of January, crossing guards are on the streets day in and day out to keep Thunder Bay’s children safe on their way to and from school.
They’re not doing it for the money.
They’re not doing it for fame or fortune.
They’re doing it because they love the work, they love the kids and it’s a chance to get out and socialize couple of times a day while doing something good for their community and its people.
Gail Stewart said she was looking for something to do after leaving her full-time job. Picking up the stop sign and helping kids safely cross Thunder Bay streets was one of the best decisions she’s ever made.
That was more than 30 years ago.
Motorists are Stewart’s biggest beef on the job.
“Drivers are terrible. That’s our biggest trouble,” she said.
That’s no surprise to Mary Lou Lahti.
“Our main concern out there is to keep the kids safe crossing the street. It does get challenging, even though we are at a controlled crossing with street lights,” Lahti said.
Stewart said it’s a great job.
“I know the hours are terrible for some people, but I enjoy it. You enjoy the kids. You get to know the neighbourhood kids, if you live in the neighbourhood, which I do.”
“You cross them almost every day. When they don’t come, you’re wondering what happened to them because you know the faces and you’re expecting them,” Lahti added.
Douglas Skogstad has been a crossing guard for the past four years, filling in where needed when other crossing guards are unavailable.
He started the job serving with his wife, who retired before the start of the current school year.
He sees the calling as win-win for everyone.
“I’m retired too so it gets me up in the morning and out in the afternoons, but I like to see the kids and get to know them. They know me. They can confide in me sometimes. I get to see them grow up, change schools sometimes if there’s a high school and elementary school nearby. It’s really something to see,” Skogstad said.
The program is run by the City of Thunder Bay, which last Friday honoured a number of crossing guards for their years of service.
Michelle Riemer, the field supervisor of crossing guards for the city, said the program has been around Thunder Bay since 1947 and is an integral part of the school environment.
“We’re here to celebrate our crossing guards and all they do for the community and the fact they work in all sorts of weather, they’re amazing people and have a huge impact on little kids,” Riemer said.
Traffic Sgt. Salvatore Carchidi of the Thunder Bay Police couldn’t agree more.
A father and grandfather who has seen the benefits of crossing guards in action, said they don’t get nearly enough thanks for the work they do.
“You make our life a lot easier, especially the traffic unit,” Carchidi told a group of crossing guards who gathered at Marina Park for Friday’s ceremony.
“When little kids don’t get hit by cars, it’s a good day for us.”
