Mill Creek Crossing Guard Celebrates 80th Birthday

Since the late 1960s, Sandra Bellew has been a school crossing guard in Independence and if she has her way, she will be a school crossing guard for a long time to come!

Bellew turned 80 and the teachers and staff at Mill Creek Elementary threw her a breakfast/birthday party at the school. She received several gifts from the Mill Creek staff and the Independence Chick-Fil-A restaurant presented her with their Second Mile Award, given to individuals in the community who, like Bellew, go the extra mile every day.

Every morning and afternoon, Sandra faithfully mans the crosswalk at Liberty St. and Colonel Dr., just south of the school. She has been an ‘official’ school crossing guard for 17 years, but has been helping ISD students get safely to and from school since 1968 when she started at Bryant Elementary.

“I could have quit a long time ago, but I enjoy it,” she said. “You’ve got to enjoy your life. You don’t live to be 80 years old if you don’t!”

She said she really enjoys seeing the kids- many of them with parents and grandparents she once helped cross the street on their way to school. She said getting up and having something to do every day keeps her young.

“I’m not old,” she said. “I never use that word ‘old,’ because I’m not old!”

Want to meet Sandra? Click here.