TORONTO – Alan Mainguy has been crossing children and adults safely at the corner of Gerrard Street and Leslie Street in Toronto for the last seven years.
“Al is so much more than a crossing guard. He’s known to everybody in the neighbourhood. He loves everybody from…the little kids who give him high fives to mothers who appreciate him so much,” said Bill Davison, Leslieville resident.
This past April, Mainguy was the recipient of the School Crossing Guard of the Year Award. He was selected from more than two hundred crossing guards serving the city of Toronto.
“He deserves it because he is very dedicated to his job, he loves his job, it’s very evident every day he’s out here with a smile,” said PC Jen Germaine, Crossing Guard Co-Ordinator of 55 division.
Mainguy said that it is just “phenomenal” that he can receive an award for “doing something I love doing.”
Mainguy works at the busy intersection three times a day, five days a week, crossing upwards of 200 people.
Germaine said that crossing guards play an “important role within the city of Toronto,” and that Al “has to make sure that all the children get to school safely.”
Mainguy says he knows over 200 names of the people he crosses.
Children, parents, TTC drivers and even dogs know him and greet him as they pass by, says a local parent.
“I think when you define community helper, Al is the community helper,” said Suizen Hong, parent.
Mainguy says that this is the best job he’s ever had.
“I could stay here forever. As long as my health is good, my legs hold up, I’ll do this job forever.”
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