Phoenix, Ariz., April 22, 2009.  In honor of Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, which will be celebrated on Friday, April 24, AAA Arizona is extending the deadline to submit nominations for its second annual Crossing Guard of the Year Award.

Monday, April 27 at 5 p.m., is the last date crossing guard nomination submissions will be accepted.  AAA Arizona encourages school administrators, faculty, staff, parents, students and community members to nominate their school crossing guard for the award. Self-nominations will also be accepted.

“We decided to extend the nomination period for our annual award in honor of Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, a day we recognize  the importance of school crossing guards in ensuring students get to and from school safely, each and every day, in the blistering heat or the pouring rain,” said Linda Gorman, director of public affairs for AAA Arizona. “We hope school officials, parents and students will express their appreciation of their school’s guards on Friday – and perhaps even nominate them for AAA Arizona’s Crossing Guard of the Year award.”

Once nominations have been submitted, the auto club’s traffic safety staff will evaluate and select finalists based on dedication, friendliness, professionalism and safety. The award will then be bestowed to the crossing guard(s) who best demonstrates the procedures and responsibilities outlined in AAA’s Handbook for Adult Crossing Guards. The winners will be announced and celebrated during the 2009 Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) East and West Valley regional crossing guard trainings before the 2009-2010 school year begins.

Last year, AAA Arizona honored two crossing guards with the award after receiving more than 115 nominations from students, parents, community members and school faculty. For the 2007-08 school year, AAA Arizona selected Dolores “Dee” Kirby of Desert Canyon Elementary School in Scottsdale, and Carmen Campanaro of Legend Springs Elementary in Glendale, as AAA Arizona’s Crossing Guards of the Year.

Nomination forms are available at all Maricopa County and Apache Junction school district offices or can be downloaded at www.aaaaz.com/news/CrossingGuardoftheYear.htm. Completed forms can be mailed to AAA Arizona, Attn: Public Affairs, 3144 N. 7th Avenue, Phoenix, Ariz., 85013, faxed to 602.776.0466 or emailed to publicrelations@arizona.aaa.com.

AAA Arizona, the Arizona affiliate of AAA, provides automotive, insurance and auto travel services to nearly 800,000 Arizona members.  Annually, AAA’s Emergency Road Service responds to more than 450,000 calls for help on the streets and highways of the state as well as providing insurance, travel, and financial services to AAA members and motorists.  Since its founding in 1927, AAA Arizona has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.