The Canadian Automobile Association South Central Ontario is lauding the efforts of a Windsor woman who has shown exceptional leadership in ensuring students have a safe walk to school.
Linda Dowell is one of two recipients of this year's CAA School Safety Patrol Program Achievement Award.
"CAA takes the safety of children and pedestrians very seriously, and we work closely with our community and police partners to protect, educate, and empower elementary school students to help keep their peers safe travelling to and from school," said CAA SCO Manager of Community Relations Tracy Marshall.
Dowell has been with the Windsor-Essex School Safety Patrol Association for 18 years.
When the School Safety Patrol program returned following a two-and-a-half-year hiatus because of COVID-19, Dowell was instrumental in organizing more than 1,000 patrollers at 55 schools.
"This included ensuring patrollers, bus operators, and local police partners received extensive school bus safety and foot patrol training," said the CAA.
Dowell is retired but chose to continue serving in the program.
The Windsor-Essex School Safety Patrol Association has been a member of the provincial program for more than 80 years.
The other award recipient is Kathryn Gratton, a civilian who works for the Brantford Police Service.