Pastor Bob Spradling is no stranger to readers of The Examiner.
For years, he has been a leading voice for progress in western Independence. When the community came together a couple years ago to say “enough” and launched a serious and successful effort to bring western Independence schools out of the Kansas City School District and into the Independence school fold, Spradling was there from the beginning. He not only offered leadership, but the church he pastors, Maywood Baptist, became sort of a gathering spot for the effort.
After the voters approved the transfer, Spradling continued his enthusiastic leadership through the Extreme School Makeover and Project Shine, which have helped clean, repair and spruce up the school buildings.
On a more personal level, Spradling gives his time to the community’s youth as a YouthFriend volunteer at Korte Elementary. For anyone who doesn’t already know, a YouthFriend volunteer commits an hour each week to direct, one-on-one mentoring of a youngster, usually as a “lunch buddy.”
He is continually looking for ways to get the adults in Independence, individually and within organizations, to focus on making the city a better place to grow up.
Spradling’s ongoing dedication to the community’s youth was honored this week. The Independence Council of PTAs named him their Citizen of the Year at the annual Founders Day breakfast.
Kathlyn Hardin, the PTAs council president, said Spradling was an easy choice. We agree. Thumbs up to one of the great leaders of the community.
And if you want a steady dose of enthusiam, check out Bob’s blog at examiner.net/blogs
