Operation Lifesaver honors volunteer Crawford for safety education efforts

Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI) yesterday named Robert Crawford of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as the recipient of the 2024 F. Tom Roberts Memorial Volunteer Award, which recognizes outstanding dedication to railroad safety education.

The award is named for OLI volunteer Tom Roberts, who was committed to reducing or eliminating death and injuries caused by accidents on railroad tracks. It honors an individual who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to safety in the number of volunteer hours committed to OLI annually, the nature of volunteer activities performed and other personal contributions to the Operation Lifesaver program.

For more than 20 years, Crawford has embodied this mission, educating thousands of children and adults about rail safety through engaging school programs and community outreach, OLI officials said in a press release. Crawford began volunteering with OLI in 2003, focusing on civic groups in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Over the years, he expanded his efforts to reach roughly 8,000 students across the state, using interactive train displays, safety videos and hands-on learning to reinforce critical rail safety messages. Today, at nearly 80 years old, he remains Oklahoma’s most active OLI volunteer, reaching more than 700 students annually. His program has also expanded to include driver’s education students, reinforcing rail safety awareness among young drivers.

"His dedication has made an impact in his community as well as throughout the state of Oklahoma. We are honored to recognize him with this award and thank him for his many years of volunteering with Operation Lifesaver," said OLI Executive Director Rachel Maleh.