From bright and sunny days to rainy and sad ones, Evanston’s crossing guards can be found standing on busy corners, neon vests glowing and red stop signs held high. Every movement  is thought through, never careless. For them, protecting students, families and teachers in their community is more than just a job, it is a calling. 

At ETHS and in surrounding neighborhoods, a few faces stand out: Don Wilson, Deborah Clark and Fred Rimsa. Each of them has dedicated years to ensuring safe passage across Evanston’s streets. Beloved and respected, these three guards represent the heart of a community.

Central Street and Central Park Avenue: Don Wilson

Don Wilson has been a crossing guard since 2014 at the intersection of Central Street and Central Park Avenue. A familiar face to the students of Willard Elementary School , Wilson brings positivity and warmth to elementary students and neighbors alike. A major factor that influences parents’ decision in the school their children will attend is safety in the school’s neighborhood. Wilson’s reputation has reassured families of their decision to move into the Willard district and to send their children there.

In his honor, on September 3rd a new street sign was named after Wilson: “Don Wilson Way,” on the intersection he has spent the last 11 years of his career. The community gathered to organize a celebration with food, laughter and many Willard students to honor Wilson’s career of  service. Even during the celebration, Wilson made sure every person, and even animal, crossing the street was safe and greeted with kindness.

Willard’s parents nominated Wilson for the honorary street sign. Earlier in the year, he took a medical leave, and his absence left many families worried and saddened. That love and concern for his steadfast presence in the community helped inspire the celebration of his work.

When asked why he chose to become a crossing guard – specifically at Central and Central Park – Wilson replied, “I feel like I was put on this earth to help people.”  He added, “The Willard community is my family.”

Wilson stated, “Being a crossing has made me a better person. I feel like I am improving myself as a human being everyday.”

Don Wilson is so loved by the community and  he feels the love, his job as a crossing guard really has impacted the Willard community in a positive way.

ETHS: Fred Rimsa

For 14 years, 79-year-old Fred Rimsa has been a dedicated crossing guard In Evanston and Skokie.

Rimsa wanted to fill his free time doing something he loved –being outside and giving back to the community. Naturally, becoming a crossing guard was the perfect match. Rimsa’s daily routine is never quite the same as he switches between Evanston and Skokie often.

Rimsa felt that his Job was not done after retiring from his past job, and still wanted to be responsible for the lives of those who go to ETHS, work at ETHS, or just live by ETHS.

Bringing light and safety to his fellow neighbors is what Rimsa lives for every day. Rimsa gave some insight on what his favorite part of this Job is.

 “I love seeing the smiles of the kids everyday, the way I can sometimes frown upside down just by talking to them.” 

Rimsa also mentioned the social aspect of the job, something that Rimsa finds important.

“Being a crossing guard is much more social than saving people in my opinion, you can’t just make sure someone crosses the street and that’s it. You have to interact with them and make sure they are okay, that is what a good crossing guard does,”

Washington School: Deborah Clark

Deborah Clark has been a light in the Washington Elementary School community for 20 years. Clark never lets a child cross the street without leaving with a smile. To Clark, it does not matter how well her day went; she assures that all kids and adults crossing the street are safe and happy.

In 2010, Clark faced one of the hardest times in her life: she became homeless after losing her apartment. She then confided in Washington’s parents that she did not know how to read or write and was unsure of how to move forward with finding work. 

When the news spread, the community was devastated. Within 48 hours, families rallied together to find Clark an apartment. They raised money to help cover her rent, showing her the same love and support she had given them and their kids for years. 

When asked about being a crossing guard, Clarke never forgets to mention that being a crossing guard makes her life better in every aspect. Not only is Clarke able to ensure people cross streets safely but she also gets to connect and bond with them. She sees kids who go to Washington grow up right in front of her eyes, being a crossing guard to her, is like being a hero.

More than a job

Crossing guards may be easy to overlook in the daily rush, but for Evanston families, they are far more than stop signs and safety vests. They are guardians, role models and friends. Don Wilson, Fred Rimsa and Deborah Clark embody that spirit and prove that sometimes, the most important community heroes are the ones standing at the corner, making sure we all get safely to the other side.