When it comes to the safety of children going to, and coming from school, one of the most valuable assets is the ‘school crossing guard’.
In 2024, a Canada wide contest was held to nominate and select the top three Crossing Guards.
The contest resulted in 346 nominations across four provinces for 59 crossing guards and, when it came to the top three in Canada, Saugeen Shores’ Fay Eggleston was chosen.
On Tuesday, January 6th (2025), Saugeen Shores Mayor Luke Charbonneau congratulated Eggleston saying that “… Eggleston is an exceptional member of the community and her commitment and dedication has not gone unnoticed for 18 years, and she has now been recognized on a national level. Fay’s warm smile and unwavering dedication make her a pillar of our community. She has guided children safely across a busy highway intersection for the children of Saugeen Central elementary school and $500 will be donated to Saugeen Central School because of the nominations she received.”
One nomination shared how Fay went above and beyond by noticing a child without gloves on a cold day and giving them a pair from her personal stash. Fay is loved by both children and parents for her cheerful greetings, her care for their safety and her constant vigilance, regardless of the weather.
Another said, “I have been crossing at Catherine St. cross- walk for 38 years taking children to school and there have been three crossing guards in that time, all dedicated to their job at keeping us all safe. I am delighted for Fay, she works hard – makes the children get off their bikes and walks them across the side walks. She also goes the extra mile, taking a child’s forgotten back pack to school, so I didn’t have to, enquiring after children if they are not with me – no one deserves this award more.”
