Top Woodbury Days volunteer helps ‘wherever I can’

Kayte Barton has always been around Woodbury Days.

Her mother Kathy led the parade for years, so Barton tagged along and helped out during the event. As she became an adult, volunteering for the event just seemed like a natural extension.

“I’ve kind of grown up with it,” Barton said. “It’s in my blood to help wherever I can.”

Her dedication to Woodbury Days drew the attention of the event’s council last year. She was named 2011’s Woodbury Days Volunteer of the Year.

“That’s pretty cool,” Barton said upon learning of the award, which was announced this month. “I like giving back to the community.

“Hopefully this will encourage others in the community to get involved in other organizations.”

Woodbury Days Volunteer Co-Chairman Dan Hammersley said Barton was chosen for her dedication to the event. She volunteers for multiple shifts each day, she stays late and covers shifts for others, he said.

“We could really tell she enjoyed being there,” Hammersley said. “We thought she was really deserving of the award.”

Woodbury Days isn’t the only event where Barton volunteers. A Special Olympics athlete with the Blazing Stars team, she also volunteers with the organization.

She also volunteers at Woodwinds Health Campus, where she does data entry when she isn’t working there for her regular job as a nutritional services aide.

In addition, Barton volunteers at King of Kings Lutheran Church and at the Woodbury YMCA.

“It’s just been really a natural thing,” she said of volunteering.

Barton, who has high-functioning autism, said she enjoys showing the community what people with disabilities can do.

“It doesn’t mean I can’t be involved with the community,” she said.

And she’s certainly not taking a break from things this Woodbury Days. Barton will be working during setup on Friday before heading to the volunteer tent to work. On Saturday, she works all day.

She’s giving herself a break on Sunday by marching in the Grande Parade.

“It’s my vacation,” she joked.

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