A Port Elgin woman is surprised and grateful to have been named one of Canada’s favourite crossing guards.
Faye Eggleston who helps students cross the street for Port Elgin Saugeen Central School says she received word of her recognition earlier this month.
“I am just really appreciative of all the people that voted for me,” says Eggleston. “It’s unbelievable, you never think it is going to happen to me.”
The annual program by Parachute, a national charity dedicated to injury prevention, received almost 350 nominations this year for 59 crossing guards across four provinces.
“One nomination shared how Faye went above and beyond by noticing a child without gloves on a cold day and giving them a pair from her personal stash. Faye is loved by both children and parents for her cheerful greetings, her care for their safety, and her constant vigilance, regardless of the weather,” says Parachute.
Eggleston, who is a former local business owner, has been a crossing guard for about 18 years.
She was among three winners for 2024, including a crossing guard in Quebec City and Kingston, who each received $500 and for their schools.
The annual contest launched in 2005 to acknowledge efforts by crossing guards.
Parachute President and CEO Pamela Fuselli says “celebrating these dedicated volunteers is one way of saying thank you, and recognizing how much they give back to the neighbourhoods where they enable children to walk or wheel to school safely.”