Park Place Middle School student Krisstyn Stanton is YMCA's Youth Volunteer of the Year

Park Place Middle School student Krisstyn Mae Stanton is the Monroe YMCA's 2014-15 Youth Volunteer of the Year.

The seventh-grader was nominated by teen staff at the Monroe Y for the volunteer work she does at the facility. Stanton, 12, started attending the YMCA afterschool program in kindergarten and began volunteering in third grade.

"If they have a towel overload, I help them fold towels,GÇ¥ she said, "or if the staff need help like in arts and crafts or helping out, it's just the little stuff.GÇ¥

Stanton also straightens up after classes in the gym, greets members and visitors and helps open doors for people with disabilities.

"She is always looking for a way to help,GÇ¥ said Morgan Huber, teen director for the Monroe Y. Stanton spoke to a group during last year's fundraising campaign about how the Y has helped her. "I was impressed with her willingness to step up to tell others why the Y made a difference for her.GÇ¥

Stanton is the daughter of Wayne and Colleen Stanton. Her mother said she used the Y for childcare when Stanton was younger.

"As a single parent, you can't afford to take your kids to all these exotic places in Washington state that she was able to do through the YMCA,GÇ¥ Colleen Stanton said. "She did everything from rock climbing to Pike Place Market. It gives her the friendship, the core values of the YMCA, being friendly, caring for neighbors and helping out. She's a very caring child.GÇ¥