Belvidere school crossing guards enjoy their annual picnic

By Anne Eickstadt

COURTESY PHOTO Belvidere Republican
Mayor Mike Chamberlain thanks the crossing guards for their dedication to keeping school kids safe.

Editor

Anyone who passed by the Boone County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, May 7 would have seen school buses, Belvidere Police Dept. vehicles, and Boone County Sheriff’s Dept. cars. The occasion was the 51^st Annual Crossing Guard Picnic.

Mayor Mike Chamberlain attended the picnic to thank the crossing guards for their willingness to help others no matter the weather and their determination to keep their friends, classmates, and school kids safe on their way to and from school.

The event was originally started in 1968 when Boone County Sheriff’s Deputies Ken Nettleton and Neil Magnuson decided to do something nice for the elementary school crossing guards. By 1974, the mayor would come out and cook hot dogs for the kids.

The Crossing Guard Picnic is a city/county venture now. Beginning as the Patrol Boy picnic, the big prize was a bicycle. As it

ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO Belvidere Republican
A group of young crossing guards were ‘interviewing’ police officers (Detective Delavan and Deputy Chief Gardner) when they spotted a ‘real’ camera and smiled.

progressed, Dispatch and Records took it over from the Sheriff’s Dept. for about 20 years. The Belvidere Police Dept. got to help out and have been doing it ever since. Tables full of prizes (including a couple of tablets) ensure everyone gets some token of appreciation for…..

For complete article, pick up the May 16 Belvidere Republican.