Listening to coverage here on KVOE of the United Way Radio Auction it donned on me that Mike Argabright was a pretty busy person to be the United Way of the Flint Hills drive chairman.
Heck, he’s not only Superintendent of Schools in the Olpe/Hartford District he’s also the Interim for Madison/Hamilton schools this year.
Then again being a busy person seems to be one of the qualifications for being selected to lead the United Way drive that has raised so many dollars since the first drive back in 1938.
The past three years are good examples. Vicki Brooks was nearing the finish of her 35th year of nursing and leadership at Newman Regional Health when she agreed to lead four years ago.
Our Ron Thomas followed Vicki and I’ll admit I wondered about his stamina when he told me he wanted to take on the drive chair job. You likely know he reports for duty here around 4 A.M. every weekday morning and doesn’t often leave before five. Add in MC-ing many events, plus his ESU PA work….well you have a busy guy.
Last year the Bayers, Kristy, and BJ took the job. It was great to have folks from ESU and Wolf Creek in leadership roles and they did not disappoint. Working around and through the Covid challenges, they seemed to be everywhere.
That brings us back to Mike Argabright. I don’t actually know Mike, but I hear about him constantly. He qualifies as a busy man.
He’s in his 16th year leading USD 252. He’s a leader in the Kansas Schools Superintendents Association and a host of other originations including the Kansas Hospital Governance and Leadership Committee and is a past chair of Newman Regional Health’s Trustees. He even participated in SOS’s Ambassador Strong program.
Mike is married to Carla who is a teacher at Madison. They have 3 grown children.
To honor Dr. Argabright and his willingness to serve Bobbi and I have decided to make a second gift to his year’s drive and we hope you might join us. It’s a great organization doing needed work in all its area.
It is easy to help. Send your check to The United Way of the Flint Hills at 702 Commercial in Emporia or call them at 620-342-7564.
I’m Steve Sauder
