One of Austin's own has been nominated as America's Favorite Crossing Guard!  

Lonnell Shackles, a crossing guard at Harris Elementary School in northeast Austin, received the nomination from his peers for always going the extra mile to keep students and neighbors safe. Lonnell is one of more than 200 crossing guards employed by Austin Public Works' Safe Routes to School Program.

The competition to find America's Favorite Crossing Guard is sponsored by Safe Kids Worldwide, a nonprofit organization working to help families and communities keep kids safe from injuries. Winners are selected based on community support via online voting. Votes for Lonnell can be submitted on the Safe Kids website each day through Dec. 12.

According to his peers and supervisors, Lonnell is always keeping an eye out for problems both big and small. Neighbors and families often see him clearing broken glass and debris out of the street -- and thanks to his suggestions, students walking to Harris Elementary in the early morning hours received backpack lights to help them get to school more safely.

“He's very kind and considerate,” says Crossing Guard Manager Leticia Richardson. “He’s always quick to help anyone… He makes sure his kids and families are okay.”

More photos available on the Austin Public Works Flickr
 

Kids and families in the Harris community recognize Lonnell’s warmth and friendliness. He knows students by name, and according to one parent, “when school’s not in session, we really miss him!”

Recently, Lonnell's quick thinking helped a large group of students clear the roadway just in time to prevent a collision with a truck. He is selfless in his work, giving the coat off of his back to a parent who needed one and helping an injured crossing guard get to safety.

Voting for Lonnell is available on the Safe Kids website through Dec.12.

About Austin's Safe Routes to School Program: 

Austin Public Works' Safe Routes to School Program works to make it easier and safer for young students to walk and bike to and home from school. The program employs more than 200 crossing guards and other professional staff that provide safety training to students, parents and school staff; teaches students to walk and bicycle more safely; partners with the community to help improve students’ routes to school; and sponsors multiple safety-related infrastructure projects near schools.