Water Spring Elementary rallies around crossing guard

Kathie McDaniel was still grieving less than three weeks after her mother’s death when her husband of 49 years died suddenly March 22. McDaniel is a crossing guard at Water Spring Elementary School — and is paid only for the time she works — so she was unable to take much time away from her job to grieve.

Mrs. Kathie, as she is known to the school, is loved by the parents and students who see her every morning and afternoon at her post on Water Spring Boulevard at the end of the field — and they felt compelled to do something kind for her in return.

Parents set up a GoFundMe account for McDaniel to help with funeral costs and medical bills and to allow her to take a few days off.

The message read: “Hi, we are parents who see Mrs. Kathie on a daily basis on our walk to and from school and love her infectious joy and zest for life. Whether she’s giving parents advice in a hard moment, reminding the kids it’s Friday Eve every Thursday, celebrating and sharing good news with us all, she has become an integral part of the WSE community.”

In less than 24 hours, the account had reached the $5,000 goal set by the community, so the goal was raised to $7,000.

“This community never fails to blow me away when it comes to helping others in need,” GoFundMe organizer Kylie Story wrote in an update March 22. “I underestimated how kind and compassionate everyone is.”
The next day, Story wrote another update with a message from McDaniel: “I don’t know what to say. All I can say is I thank you more than you know, and God must be leading us in the right way because you don’t know how much this money will help me and my family. Thank you, thank you, thank you, and I love you all more than you know as well. You all are my extended family, and I love each and every one of you and thank you.”

“She’s a wonderful lady and has such a joyful side to her that starts every kid’s day with such enthusiasm,” Story said.

Alison Herring, a Water Spring teacher, is amazed at McDaniels’ sunny disposition.

“Regardless of her situation, she’s out there talking to the kids every day,” Herring said. “The families have a great relationship with her, she doesn’t miss waving at a car; she’s just a ray of sunshine.”