'Inwood icon' Helen Hunter is greatly appreciated

Shortly after her retirement from teaching at the Five Towns Community Center in July 2011, lifelong Inwood resident Helen Hunter received a phone call asking to fill-in for a day. Nearly nine years later, she’s still filling in at the Community Center.

Hunter turned 80 on Jan. 25 and has lived on Zavatt Street in Inwood all her life. Known as ‘Ms. Helen’ by her students, Hunter has worked at the Community Center in Lawrence since 1969, specifically with the Head Start program. Head Start focuses on providing educational services to encourage positive development for children 4- to 6-years-old in low-income households. Hunter helps teach the children topics such as the alphabet and mathematical arithmetic.

Enrolling her daughter Pat in the Head Start program put Hunter on a path toward being involved with the Community Center. A place she became familiar with as a youngster. “I would go to the Community Center as a kid for summer camp,” Hunter said. “When I got older, there was a daycare at the center and a woman named Ms. Helen who ran the daycare. She told me I should get involved with the center and I eventually did.”

After taking a series of classes and workshops at Nassau Community College and SUNY College at Old Westbury, Hunter received her associate’s degree in early childhood education in 1968 and began her career in education that has spanned more than 50 years.

According to Hunter, she was only supposed to fill in for three weeks after the Community Center called her out of retirement. “I retired in the last week of July and a week later, the Community Center called and begged me to help out,” she said. “And look what happened, I’ve been back ever since.”

More than 8 ½ years later Hunter continues returning to the Community Center. “The children love me there,” she said. “As I soon as I walk in there, they almost knock me down since they’re all so glad to see me.” On her birthday, fellow Inwood resident Kenneth, 6, presented Hunter with a rose.

One of Hunter’s three daughters, Pat Hunter-Mayer, noted how her mother has a youthful energy despite her age. “Even though she’s 80, she has the energy of a 30-year-old,” Hunter-Mayer said. “She’s an Inwood icon who has touched the lives of so many people over the years. I think working at the Community Center is something that keeps her going.”

Hunter-Mayer posted on her Facebook page that it was her mother’s birthday. There were 43 comments on the post from current and former Inwood residents, who shared their memories of Hunter.

Former resident Karrie Athena appreciated Hunter for always being kind. “Happy birthday Ms. Helen, you’ve been in my life for its entirety and I never saw a mean or vindictive action from you,” Ahern commented. “You were always sweet and loving towards me. You have a true heart of gold.”

Though now octogenarian, Hunter believes there is much more for her to do and in life.“I thank God for keeping me here,” she said. “I think he’s keeping me here a few reasons: my family, friends and the children of the Community Center.”