Getting to school can be a dangerous endeavour when the building is situated near a busy intersection.
One mother in the town of Langdon, east of Calgary, first noticed the risk in her neighbourhood while walking her own children to school.
For more than a decade, Danielle Durocher has stationed herself at an intersection adjacent to Langdon School, making sure students get across safely.
“We lived in Langdon and my kids were going to school,” says Danielle of her beginnings as a volunteer crossing guard. “The rule was they had to wait for me. So, I crossed the street and then I told them they can come and then with that other kids would come running up the street and say ‘Wait for us, wait for us’ and that's how it began.”
Principal David Smith says Langdon School had student crossing guards prior to Danielle’s arrival.
“She saw students doing it and, right off the bat, she recognized that this is not going to work,” explains Smith. “It's too big of an intersection. She got out of her car and started helping.”
“That first day of just helping turned into eleven years of helping.”
Danielle is a celebrity to many of the kids. She’s often the recipient of treats from the students and a number of motorists acknowledge her dedication by bringing her a cup of coffee.
While the majority of Langdon residents appreciate her efforts, she has received scorn from impatient drivers.
Principal David Smith is in awe of Danielle's dedication.
“When I'm coming into work, and it's minus 40, and I see Danielle standing out there day after day and never once a complaint,” said Smith with a smile. “She’s just always happy, never skips a day.”
Smith says Danielle is a high profile example of the amazing volunteers Langdon School enjoys.
For her commitment to student safety, Danielle Durocher is this week’s Inspiring Albertan.
