This
fund was created in 2003 in conjunction with Mr. Sarris being chosen as the
Washington County Community Foundation Philanthropist of the Year.
Mr. Sarris, President of Sarris Candies, started his candy business in 1960. From its humble beginnings with just three employees and sales of $600, Sarris Candies has emerged into a premier candy maker with more than 350 employees and annual sales of $16 million. Frank Sarris has received numerous awards for his successful business enterprise. In 2001 he was recognized as the Pennsylvania Small Business Person of the Year. In the same year, he was a finalist for the National Small Business Person of the Year, receiving the award personally from President George W. Bush at the White House. A Certificate of Special Recognition was presented to him from the United States Congress and he received a Citation from the PA House of Representatives. Washington & Jefferson honored Mr. Sarris with its Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2002. And Sarris Candies was recently recognized by the Pittsburgh Business Times as One of Pittsburgh’s Fastest Growing Companies.
Mr. Sarris’ generosity to the Washington County community is significant; his charitable gifts have had a true and lasting impact on our community. Just a few of the charities Mr. Sarris has supported include: All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, Washington County Humane Society, Animal Friends, Canonsburg July 4th Parade, Canonsburg Bicentennial Drive, Canonsburg Hospital, The Washington Hospital, American Hellenistic Education Society, Washington City Mission, Washington County 4-H, Washington County Food Bank, and the Kidney Foundation of Western Pennsylvania.
When Mr. Sarris learned that he had been chosen by the Foundation he commented, “I have been honored with many awards in recent years and I am very appreciative of each award. But to be considered an equal to this distinguished list of honorees is absolutely humbling to me. This is a wonderful thing that the Foundation is doing.”
To view pictures of the 2003 Philanthropist of the Year banquet click here.
Click here for a list of grants awarded from this fund.