LAKELAND, Fla. — Lakeland father Dax Gingras has made it tradition that every weekday morning in October, he dresses up in a different Halloween costume and heads to the car line outside of South McKeel Academy to help direct traffic. 

Gingras was a teacher at a nearby school until he was diagnosed with brain cancer roughly 9 years ago. After surgery he felt he lacked direction and South McKeel Academy reached out to see if he would help out by directing traffic during the morning drop-off. 

He soon turned into a fixture for families dropping their young children off at school and kids look forward to seeing his new costumes each day in October. 

Earlier Thursday morning, Gingras announced in a Facebook post that he would no longer be greeting students due to the damage that cancer caused to his brain. He stated that his balance isn’t what it used to be and his usual spot at the car line is now dangerous for him. 

Following his announcement, dads from all over the South McKeel community started stepping up and dressing up, taking turns running the car line in honor of Dax. 

Dax Gingras was a teacher at a nearby school until he was diagnosed with brain cancer roughly 9 years ago. After surgery he felt he lacked direction and South McKeel Academy reached out to see if he would help out by directing traffic during the morning drop-off. (Dax Gingras Facebook) 

Each day, the volunteer dads hold lime green posters stating ‘Dads for Dax’. 

“When you’re out here, you’re representing Dax really,” said local dad Jordan Barnes, who was dressed in a ‘Where’s Waldo’ costume. “I’m honored to be able to stand here and love on the kids like Dax did all these years.” 

Throughout Halloween week, a team of Ghostbusting dads took the helm one day while Willy Wonka and his Oompa Loompas took over another morning.  

Dax posted his appreciation to Facebook stating, “The people in my life never cease to amaze me! God has taken my health but given me so much more.”​