Crossing guard hero to children

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - School is back in session. Each morning, some children take the bus to school, others have parents who drop them off. And still others lace up their shoes and walk to school. Every morning for the last 37 years, children at Cumberland Elementary in West Lafayette are greeted by Martha Mugge.

Martha serves as a crossing guard, helping chidren cross the street, rain or shine. 

Armed with two stop signs and a reflective vest, 71-year old Martha Mugge makes sure children walking to school at Cumberland Elementary in West Lafayette have plenty of room to cross.

Martha has served as a crossing guard in West Lafayette for 37 years. This is a job she took many years ago, at first, against her wishes, filling in for someone during the last two months of school.

"She says, 'Why don't you do it for two months and if you like it, you can keep with it. And if you don't, you don't have to get hired on.' So I went, and by golly, I'm still here," said Martha.

Back then, Martha earned $4.97 a day. While her pay has gone up, so certainly has her love for the job.

"I really enjoy it. I really enjoy talking to the people and getting out and the exercise that I get with it, because I walk to work everyday. It's about 15 or 20 minutes to walk depending on the weather, how hot it is. I used to do it in 10 minutes, but my age has slowed me down a little bit," said Martha.

As cars drive slowly through the school zone at Benton Street and Cumberland Avenue, Martha has rules for walkers and drivers. The children and their parents must wait for her cue to cross, and drivers need to do the same.

"It's a matter of principle if I let the cars go through like that and they push their way they're going to do it consistently but if I get out and stop them they'll understand that I really need them to stop," said Martha.

At least 40 children and their families rely on Martha each morning before school, and every afternoon, when school lets out. She knows each child's name, and helps to start their day on the right foot.

Martha plans on working as a crossing guard at Cumberland Elementary another 14 years, retiring when she's 85. When she's not busy getting the children to school safely, she spends her free time crocheting and volunteering at Heritage Healthcare.