This was an article I wrote that was published in Snap Newmarket in June of 2013 about Harvey Williams, a great crossing guard. Hope you enjoy it again!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Found on the corners of Clearmeadow Boulevard and Rushbrook Drive, Harvey Williams has reported for duty every day for the past fifteen years, as a school crossing guard.
Harvey has watched little tykes grow into adults. He has taken responsibility for the safety of Clearmeadow Public School’s students as his first priority. Harvey has been an advocate for this intersection and the Newmarket neighbourhood “Summerhill”. Back in 2004, Harvey worked closely with Newmarket officials to ensure that his corner had a Safety-Stop-Sign” on the crosswalk to secure safety for the children in his community. He also was instrumental in ensuring the safety walk and intersection stayed where it was against some of the odds of the neighbourhood. A survey of the area from Cole’s Engineering agreed that Harvey’s preferred placement was the best location.
Harvey has been a loyal and dedicated volunteer in Newmarket for many years. He has been a member of the North Lion’s Club for over 10 years. He has entertained children over and over as “Harv-O the Clown”, as he is known by his admiring fans. Harv-O was recently entertaining children in February at the Newmarket winter fest event, handing and creating balloon animals and putting smiles on many children’s faces.
Harvey is a Shriner’s clown. He has been a part of the Shriners Club for over 25 years. The money William’s earns through his performances goes to the International Shrine Clown Association’s Sneaker Fund, which supports the Shriners Hospital and related Shriners Burn Institutes. Williams was presented a plaque of appreciation by the Downtown Newmarket Business Community Association in 1998 in recognition of the group’s support of Harv-O’s fundraising efforts for these Shriner organizations.
For over 10 years, Harvey has also volunteered with M&M’s Crone’s and Colitis Foundation Bar-B-Q. This organization continues to raise a considerable amount of money every year in support of this worthy cause.
Williams says “My favorite audience is children. They talk to me and communicate well”. And as a crossing guard for so many years and a clown, Harvey certainly is where he belongs.
William’s recently received a Volunteer Citizen Award in the town of Newmarket for over 10 years of dedicated service.
I am Darlene Morrison and this is my community!
