No slowing down for volunteer at 92
Betty Barton, 92, had to give up her line-dancing class — because it got in the way of her volunteering.
As we age, life tends to slow down for most of us. But for 92-year-old Betty Barton of Sugar Land, there is no slowing down: The active senior took part in her second Charity of Your Choice Walk at the Telfair Central Lawn on Saturday, Oct. 13.
“Our team, the Christ Church Jaunters, raised money for our 12th Habitat for Humanity house,” Barton said. “This will be the second house we’ve built with support from the Charity of Your Choice Walk. I choose to walk because it’s such a wonderful cause. I believe in it.”
The Christ Church Jaunters raised $37,101 for Habitat for Humanity from the walk. When Barton isn’t walking for charity, she’s busy serving Christ United Methodist Church in the altar guild and memorial services committee.
She said she devotes her days to volunteering and her nights to catching up on work around her house. When it comes to keeping herself healthy, Barton says exercise is her prescription. “I keep healthy by going to the YMCA three to four times per week,” Barton said.
“I use the machines and take cardio classes. They have marvelous, wonderful instructors. I was also taking a line dancing class, but I had to give it up because it was getting in the way of my volunteering.” A Houston resident since 1977, Barton has another secret weapon when it comes to staying young:
“I was born on a leap year on Feb. 29, so I’ve only had 23 birthdays so far in my life,” she joked. Barton said she feels that staying active is just a part of who she is at her core being. “I can’t imagine just sitting around and not doing anything,” she explained.
“I realize how fortunate I am to be able to be so active at my age, and I have empathy for those who can’t be physically active.” She feels the same way about volunteering her time to benefit others. “The passion to volunteer has to come from within,” she said.
“Decide what matters most to you and then do something. Having good friends who share the same feelings about the cause you support is also very important.”
ABOUT BETTY BARTON
AGE: 92
COMMUNITY CONNECTION: Member and volunteer at Christ United Methodist Church in Sugar Land
FAST FACT: Barton was born on a leap day, Feb. 29, 1920, so she’s only had 23 real birthdays in her lifetime.
