Community Gem: Marie Stephens

Otumoetai Playcentre is a busy place - there are always squeals of laughter, paint-smeared faces and a level of energy that only small children can provide.
And in among that chaos, Marie Stephens is always smiling.
The Bellevue woman has been helping local parents run the playcentre for an impressive 10 years, turning up three mornings a week to help set up, run, and clean up each session.
"I like being around the kids and helping out all the mums," she says. "I make the playdough when I come in and help do the dishes and the vacuuming at the end. And I feed the fish twice a week."
Marie first arrived at Otumoetai Playcentre through the support of Avalon Incorporated, and now works under the guidance of IHC's service provider Idea Services Ltd, and its subsidiary, Supported Employment.
Carolyn Sharp from Supported Employment says volunteering at Otumoetai Playcentre gives Marie a sense of belonging, community and self-worth.
Marie says she has always loved being around youngsters, and is a doting aunty to 17 nieces, nephews, and their own children.
At Otumoetai Playcentre she takes an active interest in each child, watching them grow and master new skills along the way. She has a particular fond spot for 18-month-old Julia, whose mum, Rachael Hindrup, serves as Marie's centre liaison at playcentre.
"Parents find Marie's willingness to assist on these busy sessions invaluable," Ms Hindrup says. "She sees what needs doing and just does it, and she's always giving a hand to mums with new babies."
Ms Hindrup says people value Marie's reliability and her ability to remember names and faces of those she comes across. "She has formed connections with many families and is always bumping into playcentre kids when she's out and about."
Marie's 10-year service at Otumoetai Playcentre will be marked with a special celebration later this year.
The 63-year-old agrees that 10 years is a long time to have been making playdough and cleaning up after small children. She giggles when asked how much longer she'll keep volunteering at playcentre. "It is a long time. I can't believe it! But I'll keep on going. I love being here."