Prisoner of the Truck

Prisoner of the Truck is a true story about character and the self-discipline of a 12-year old boy who turned his 100-hour a week boyhood truck-prison into a study center. Fred Sarkis bought his mother and eight brothers and sisters a six-bedroom home at age 17. He became a multi- millionaire at age 34, built a ski resort, golf course, marina and condominium community and failed at age 50. He embraced adversity, and with lessons learned on the prison-truck, turned failure into success. At age 77, Fred gives volunteer motivational talks to children and adults.

Dr. Tom Lickona, award-winning author of "Educating for Character" and "Raising Good Children" wrote:

"Messages of Character have to be delivered by a person of character. Fred Sarkis is such a person, and the story of his remarkable life will help anyone, young or old, to be a better person and lead a better life. 'Prisoner of the Truck' has the power to touch hearts and bring out the best

Dr. Lickona is a developmental psychologist and educator. He is an internationally respected authority on moral development and values education. He has been a guest on numerous radio and television talk shows including Good Morning America and Larry King Live.

For 4 years, from age 8 to 12, Fred worked up to 100 hours a week on his father’s vegetable truck. At age 12, two 5-minute conversations with his Pa taught Fred that a positive Attitude, Courage, Enthusiasm and Determination would affect his life’s direction.

He finished business school at age 16, tops in his class. At age 17, he bought his mother and eight brothers and sisters a six-bedroom home. He became an entrepreneur at age 24 and a multi- millionaire at 34. He built a ski resort, golf course and condominium community.

And then he faced failure. Fred applied the same lessons he learned at age 12 to turn adversity and failure into success. His genuine and heartfelt stories inspire others.

Visit YesPa.org for information about the Character Education Mission of the Prisoner of the Truck Foundation