Crossing guards play a vital role in keeping Cazenovia children safe as they walk to school each morning, and recently those crossing guards were honored with an appreciation event at Common Grounds.

Three of the seven current crossing guards were treated to free coffee and baked goods as they talked, told stories of interesting experiences and were thanked for their work by school district, village and police officials.

“My primary reason was simply to recognize those we see every day, dutifully going about their jobs, and doing so with pride and purpose.   Their role in protecting our children going to and from school could easily be taken for granted, and like too many things in life, we often don’t appreciate them until they are gone,” said  Kelli Johnson, Common Grounds community service coordinator, who planned the event. “So, raising awareness of their importance to the larger community was another motivator for organizing the ‘meet and greet.’ I was thrilled with the turnout and I am thankful to Bob Hood at Common Grounds for giving me the opportunity to plan and host such events.”

Crossing guards Bryan Howles, Tom O’Donnell and Patti Heffernan attended the event last Thursday, April 21, during the two-hour school delay before going out to their respective intersections to assist students on their way to school.

“Sometimes the weather’s not appreciated, but the kids are really polite,” said O’Donnell, who works the intersection of Green and Hurd streets. “I’d say 80 percent of the kids say good morning and thank me.”

Howles, who works the Albany and Hurd streets intersection said he has experienced the same from the people he crosses, which includes Cazenovia College students and many adults.

Board of Education President Jan Woodworth, along with Superintendent Matt Reilley and high school Principal Eric Knuth were on hand for the event, along with Mayor Kurt Wheeler and Police Chief Michael Hayes.

“There’s a lot of good relationships between the crossing guards and the students, and community members,” Woodworth said. “This event is just awesome.”

During the event, Woodworth told stories of former crossing guard Stormy Mather, who passed away in 2010, and the relationship he formed with former student Katelyne Frink (now Frink-Cedar). Woodworth said that Mather and Frink would talk every day, and Mather was always interested in Frink’s artwork as she carried her portfolio to school, and loved seeing her work. Mather attended Frink’s senior art show, attended her graduation and her wedding, and was going to be the godfather to Frink’s child until he passed away. Frink gave Mather one of her art pieces after graduation.

There are currently seven crossing guards in the village, of all ages, including college students, who work 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon in all types of weather. Hayes applauded the crossing guards and all they do, and said they are “priceless” to the health and safety of Cazenovia’s children. He also thanked police clerk Sue Dady, who runs the entire program and is often crossing students herself at Lincklaen and Williams streets.

Reilley thanked the crossing guards and said they were “vital” not just to the health and safety of the students, but also to building great relationships within the community.

“These people inspire and motivate our students … I can’t say enough about our great crossing guards and all they do for our kids,” he said.