Bill's Continues Tradition Of Giving Back

Businesses are always the first to be hit up when organizations needs funds for their activities.

Bill's Pizza on Farmington Ave. was no different. Owner Peter Ladas was asked almost on a daily basis to give something away for raffles or sponsor books or just a name on a sponsor list.

Ladas' wife Barbara came up with a different idea and it has stuck and become extremely popular.

On Tuesday nights from 4-8 p.m. Bill's gives back 20 percent of all receipts collected for the organization that night.

“Receipts are placed in a labeled container on our counter so any patron that would like to contribute their receipt to the organization can." said Ladas. "It’s very simple all the organization has to do is advertise and Bill's does the rest. The more people that participate the more money the organization makes.

"My wife Barbara gave me the idea and I thought it would be a great way to give back to the community. It is a better way of giving back to the organizations, because when we have fundraising nights the amount of money the organization can collect is unlimited because we donate 20 percent back. One organization actually earned $700 in one four-hour span."

This is he third year Bill's has had these events. The first year they gave approximately $4,000 back to organizations. The second year,  they gave about $5,000 back and the third year is off to a great start.

"We have helped over 20 organizations," Ladas said. "Berlin High School (all classes freshman, sophmores, juniors and seniors). Willard School, Griswold School, Hubbard School, St.Paul's School, McGee School, Berlin Little League, Ava’s Army (American Cancer Society), Habitat for Humanity, Berlin Band, Soccer teams, All sports at Berlin High (Monday night is Sports Night), Volleyball teams, softball teams and swim teams."

Ladas said it is always the mission of the business to give back to the community.

"The reason for doing it is because the town of Berlin has always supported Bill's Pizza," he said. "Bill's Pizza opened in 1980 and the town has been supporting us for 31 years. It’s nice to be able to give back. Initially helping the business was not my intention, but once it started rolling the support from the town was awesome. It has been a great positive for Bill's Pizza."