Our very own Marian Templeton has been selected as a recipient of the 2023 Manitoba Senior of the Year Award in recognition of her meaningful volunteer contributions which enrich Headingley residents’ lives through community connection. Her outstanding leadership and tireless efforts continually bring our community together and make Headingley an amazing place to live! The PRA Board could not be more proud and can’t wait to celebrate her at a formal ceremony at the Manitoba Legislature later this month.
Marian has lived in Headingley for over 25 years and has volunteered for various community organizations including the Phoenix Recreation Association. Her role on the PRA Board as Special Events Co-ordinator has really sparked her passion for our community. She organizes events such as Family Movie Nights, the annual Halloween Howl Family Dance, the Holiday Vendor & Bake Sale, Family Bingo Nights, Petting Zoos, and is the lead organizer of our annual Phoenix Winter Carnival. These events promote a sense of community, a sense of belonging, and increase resident’s involvement and personal interactions within our community. They are activities and functions where we can spend precious time with our families and meet and get to know new friends in our budding community.
Further to organizing these many events, she heads to the Hockey Hutch at the Phoenix Community Centre every day during the winter skating season to unlock the Hockey Hutch and open the canteen to welcome skaters of all ages to our outdoor rinks. All the kids in our community know her by name and cherish her. She is often busy grocery shopping for treats and drinks to fill the canteen for the kids, and has spent hours filling $1 candy bags, the kids favorite.
Marian also heads up the Headingley Crime Watch group. She solely organized this group from the ground up when our community was faced with increased theft and vandalism and manages all of the volunteers and community outreach initiatives herself.
During the pandemic, Marian worked tirelessly to coordinate family friendly contests and challenges that we could participate in as a community while respecting social distancing challenges. She kept our community engaged and having fun during a very challenging time in our lives.
Marian is an amazing community organizer, volunteer and cheerleader. She communicates with our local papers to ensure the community is aware of our local events and programs. It is amazing how the efforts of one person can truly make such a difference in everyone’s lives. Because of her efforts, we can enjoy affordable, often free events, right here in the heart of our community. She knows everyone in the community and takes the time to show she cares. Her spirit and passion are infectious, she has encouraged many new people to volunteer their time and join subcommittees to make existing programs more exciting, fresh, and bring new ideas to the table.
In addition to her volunteer work for the Phoenix Recreation Association, Marian helps with the Annual Headingley Seniors Craft Sale, can be found volunteering at the weekly Meat Draws, and has volunteered with the Headingley Community Foundation at many of their community events.
Because of her ongoing community efforts, Marian has the respect and gratitude of neighborhood residents, businesses, the many local volunteer groups and associations, and her peers on the Phoenix Recreation Association Board.
Congratulations Marian on this great accomplishment! We are so very proud of you!