The person helping children get to school safely in Richardson needed a lift of her own, and parents at Moss Haven Elementary decided to do something about it.
When families at the Texas school learned their crossing guard had been relying on buses and ride-shares after her car broke down, they raised money and surprised her with a replacement vehicle.
Trecia Crawford, known around campus as “Ms. Crawford,” helps children cross the street each day at Moss Haven Elementary in Richardson, Texas. For many families, seeing her at the crosswalk has become a familiar part of the daily routine.
Parents said she is a steady presence for students and families. They said she greets children with smiles, reminds them not to run through the crosswalk and often knows parents by their first names.
“She’s part of the community,” one parent said.
A few months ago, getting to work became much harder for Crawford after her car broke down. She was left without reliable transportation, but she kept finding ways to get to the crosswalk.
At first, she paid for rides through Lyft. When that became too expensive, she started taking the bus.
“I had to do what I had to do,” she said.
Members of the school’s Dad’s Club later learned about her situation. The group decided they wanted to help the woman who had spent years helping their children.
“We’re a group of dads that have all signed up to come together and better the students, teachers, and environment here at Moss Haven Elementary,” Luke Wagner, the club’s president, told CBS News Texas.
The fathers sent out a couple of emails to parents in the community, hoping to raise money for Crawford. The response moved quickly.
Within a few days, the group had raised several thousand dollars.
Then came the surprise. The dads presented Crawford with a white Jeep.
Their help went beyond the vehicle itself. The Dad’s Club also helped cover insurance, handled the title transfer and set up a few oil changes to help her get started.
For the parents who organized the effort, it was a way to thank someone who has played a steady role in their children’s daily lives.
The Dad’s Club also helped cover insurance, handle the title transfer, and even set up a few oil changes to help her get started.
📸 Richardson ISD
