Show your crossing guard a little love

Crossing guards shepherd us safely across the street. They keep children safe from traffic throughout the year — during wind, rain, snow and sweltering heat.

Since 2005, Illinois has been officially honoring these individuals with Crossing Guard Appreciation Day. This year, the event is on May 1.

In honor of Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, the Active Transportation Alliance is asking neighbors to share stories about their local crossing guards. Residents can share how much they value their crossing guard at www.activetrans.org/crossingguard.

The public is invited to share stories through May 1 — the day Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn declared as Crossing Guard Appreciation Day.

“Crossing guards provide an invaluable service to our communities,” said Ron Burke, executive director of the Active Transportation Alliance. “They are out there every day making the streets safer by helping children get to school and guiding residents as they walk to their bus stop.”

Here are a few ways you can help celebrate the efforts of your local crossing guards.

타 Download and present them with a certificate of appreciation.

타 Write a thank-you note.

타 Give the guard a gift card to a local business.

타 Share details about the great work that a particular crossing guard does in your neighborhood.

Visit www.activetrans.org/crossingguard to read comments people made about their favorite crossing guards in recent years.

The Active Transportation Alliance is a nonprofit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel.

The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. The Active Transportation Alliance is North America’s largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by more than 6,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 40 full-time staff. For details on the Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call (312) 427-3325.