“The more you share with others, the more you get in return. Those are the words I try to live by,” says Mike Pappas.
“All through my life I’ve been lucky,” he says. “A lot of people have been good to me over the years and I want to return the favor.”
So how does this work? By getting involved in civic organizations where he can help the community he loves the most. Constable of Precinct 1 in Dallas County, Pappas feels very strongly about his civic duty. Anyone who knows him will tell you that when he joins an organization, he goes the extra mile to make sure that he makes a positive difference in the lives of others.
Pappas says this approach to life is what makes him feel good about his day. He remembers a neighbor with a similar attitude who had a significant impact on him when he was growing up. “He was the father of a friend of mine, but he treated all of the kids in the neighborhood like we were his own sons and daughters. He was a good man with great principles. I remember he talked about being a member of the Masonic Temple and some of the things they were doing to help others. It made a huge impact on me and I knew I wanted to be like him. So when I turned 21 years old, I decided to become a Mason,” Pappas says.
As a member of the Claud L. Austin 1450 Masonic Lodge and an active member of Dallas Scottish Rite and Hella Shrine Temple, Pappas is involved with such projects as the “Together Against Drugs Program,” which he helped institute in the elementary schools throughout the Dallas area in 1993. This program utilizes classes, taught by a law enforcement officer and a local Mason, for fifth graders in public schools that teach them how to say “no” to their friends about drugs, drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes. Pappas says the approach not only teaches children how to cope with peer pressure, but also how to consider the consequences that are a result of making bad decisions.
As the immediate past president of the Exchange Club in Lake Highlands, Pappas says this organization is another way that he chose to get involved in helping children. The Exchange Club’s main efforts are geared to the prevention of child abuse. A member since 1994, Pappas has also been their program chairman and membership chairman. Once an organization for men only, it now has women as members, which Pappas says is a good thing: “Our children really are the responsibility of an entire community.”
The Exchange Club also annually gives college scholarship awards to deserving students of Lake Highlands High School. Approximately $40,000 a year in scholarships are awarded to students, based on either scholastic achievement or on need. The club also recognizes a Youth of the Month, Youth of the Year and Teacher of the Year, as well as reaching out to “unsung heroes” — the ordinary people who have had an unusual impact on someone’s life throughout the year. Shy about receiving personal recognition, Pappas insists there are many other people in the community who are doing much more than he is to make a difference in the lives of others in the community. But he certainly is doing his fair share. As an experienced law enforcement officer with over 19 years of service, he holds an Advanced Proficiency Certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. In this capacity, he has established the Mental Health APOWW team to assist the mentally ill and chemically dependent in Dallas County. He also is a member of the Park Cities Lions Club, a member of the Dallas Crime Commission, and serves on the Crime Stoppers Reward Committee. He is a former member of the board of directors for the White Rock/Lake Highlands YMCA, and on the Advisory Board of the Dallas Northeast Chamber of Commerce, and has served as a Family Campaign Chairman, North Trail District, for the Boy Scouts of America, Circle Ten Council for two years.
An associate member of the Marine Corps League, Pappas has been honored on many occasions by the United States Marine Corps for his service to the military and civilian community in Dallas. Actively involved in the political scene at many levels of government, Pappas was invited by The American Council of Young Political Leaders to tour Hungary in 1994 to share political philosophies and discuss political processes.
His efforts are visibly appreciated by the groups that have received his enthusiastic support. Pappas received the YWCA “Volunteer With a Heart” award and the East Dallas Chamber of Commerce “Outstanding Volunteer Service Award.” In addition to the Community Service Award from the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill, Baylor Health Care System recognized Pappas for his support and commitment to the operation of the Baylor Health Care System Police Department.
While Pappas obviously loves doing for others, he says his main priority is his family. He credits his wife, Sandy, as having a major influence on his successful career. Like her husband, she too is involved in many civic organizations and stays just as busy. The couple attends Lake Highlands Methodist Church, where Pappas serves on the Board of Directors. They have two daughters, both of whom attended Lake Highlands High School. Melissa, 25 , is married and has a 6-month old son. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University. Staci, 18, currently is enrolled at McMurry University in Abilene.
Of his rich life, Pappas says: “The more you share with others, the more you get in return.”
Get Involved
Following is information about joining, volunteering for, or making a donation to some of the organizations referenced in this article:
- Exchange Club of Lake Highlands, Charlie Hayes, 214-341-4996
- The Mental Health Association of Greater Dallas, Tim Simmons, 214-871-2420
- The Park Cities Lions Club, Bill Walker, 214-357-2059
- Crime Stoppers Reward Program, Greater Dallas Crime Commission, Millie DeAnda, 214-965-9000
- White Rock/Lake Highlands YMCA, Nora Belcher, 214-221-9622
- Dallas Northeast Chamber of Commerce, Don Wilson, 214-828-1400
- Boy Scouts of America, Circle Ten Council, John Byrd, 214-902-6756
- Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Keith Hitt, 214-559-7650
Also, if you’d like to visit Lake Highlands Methodist Church: Rev. Richard Dunagin, 214-348-6600.
