76-year-old Pinoy is Canada’s favorite crossing guard

Rappler.com

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76-year-old Pinoy is Canada’s favorite crossing guard
Reports say no accidents have been recorded under Peter Atienza's 5-year watch

MANILA, Philippines – It’s a job Peter Atienza, 76, has been doing for 5 years now – helping children of Oriole Parkway Junior Public School in Toronto, Canada, safely cross the street.


He occassionally gets thank yous from the little ones, but on December 18, he got a big thank you from the whole of Canada.

Atienza was hailed as one of Canada’s 4 favorite crossing guards for 2014. Nominated by parents and students of the Toronto school, he bested other nominees across the country in the annual contest by Parachute – an injury prevention organization – and FedEx Express Canada – a delivery company.

“Peter guards a busy intersection in mid-town Toronto where he influences kids to have a positive attitude. Safety is of the highest priority for Peter, he seems to protect both sides of the street and takes his job very seriously,” national charity organization Parachute said in a short profile of Atienza. 

In the same profile, Parachute recounted how a car which skidded on the side of the road last winter almost hit children and caregivers, but Atienza pushed them into a snow bank to keep them out of the car’s way.

After making sure the children were safe and calm, he also checked in on the driver.

The Toronto Star reported that Atienza used to be a rice and sugar cane farmer in the Philippines before his daughter brought him and his wife to Canada.

Reports say no accidents have been recorded under his watch.

Atienza received “a crystal maple leaf award, a coat that identifies the winner as one of Canada’s Favourite Crossing Guards, and $500.” He also received an award from the local police, according to CTV News

Aside from Atienza, 3 others were awarded:

  • Dale Martin of Jack Chambers Public School, London, Ontario
  • Gerry Brown of East Lambton Elementary School, Watford, Ontario
  • Penny Easter of Brock Collegiate Institute, Brockville, Ontario

“These four individuals, along with crossing guards across the country, go to work every day, rain or shine, snow or slush, to help children make it safely across the road. They deserve to be applauded for their great work,” Parachute President and CEO Louise Logan said in a statement

Oriole Parkway Junior Public School also received $500 from FedEx Express Canada. – Rappler.com

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