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WHEREAS, Bill Sarris serves as President of the Sarris Candy Company after the passing of his father and Founder, Frank Sarris, in March 2010; and,
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WHEREAS, Bill started working at the candy shop with his dad at 10 years old.
He Graduated from W&J College in Washington PA and planned on going to medical school, but decided to continue to help with the family business; and,
WHEREAS, when Bill was a senior at Cannon Macmillan high school, he helped raise money for the school by selling Sarris Candy, and thus the fundraising aspect of the business began. In spite of his father thinking he was crazy, he traveled to Europe, with a bag of money and bought some equipment in order to expand production; and,
WHEREAS, helping people is a character of Bill Sarris that indirectly continues to grow the company. Such as when a friend's supplier could not fill a display case at a Pittsburgh Giant Eagle, Sarris filled the order, and thus began the retail business. When Sarris Candies bought Gardener's Candies in 1997, Bill taught them how to run the equipment, cook the chocolate and even scrub the floors. Sarris and Gardner's now work together simultaneously in efficiently manufacturing and distributing product nationwide; and
WHEREAS, Bill's generous spirit is evident, such as the time Sarris Candies Inc donated $100,000 to help Canonsburg's Town Park Pool purchase a pool liner. He helps other candy companies in need and donates an endless array of product and financial sponsorship to organizations and numerous fundraising events; and,
WHEREAS, when he is not running a chocolate factory, he enjoys spending time with his wife Jamie, who he met at age13, and his daughters Athena and Candace and his four grand-children Landen, Lucca, Cameron and Caden, his little 2 year-old buddy; and,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend Bill Sarris for his dedication to community and his entrepreneurial spirit; a...
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