Kids organize bake sale to help their school crossing guard

THE HEIGHTS (KTRK) -- A Houston crossing guard can't thank his community enough today. Fetene Yezengaw has stood guard at the corner of E. 8th Street and Harvard Street, helping students get to and from Harvard Elementary School.

Yezengaw is known for his infectious smiles, jokes and commitment to the children.

If you look closely, you'll notice Yezengaw walks with a limp.

"He's a gregarious, energetic crossing guard who happens to have a disability," said Harvard Elementary Principal Laura Alaniz. "You wouldn't know it."

Yezengaw was born in Ethiopia. At the age of 15, government forces made him a child soldier. He told Eyewitness News he lost his leg when he stepped on a landmine at the age of 17. He then spent 12 years in a refugee camp before coming to America.

His most recent prosthetic leg needs repairs. "Girls on the Run," a running and fitness group at the school, decided to do something. They organized a bake sale for Friday and created a GoFundMe account.

They already surpassed their $5,500 goal on the crowdfunding site.

Yezengaw does have other medical needs. The girls are now hoping they can raise more money to cover those expenses.

Their bake sale is scheduled for Friday at 3:15pm at the Harvard Elementary School park. It is open to the Heights community.