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JULY 2008

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Men Who Make A Difference: Shariq Siraj

From his early years in Pakistan, Shariq Siraj learned a lesson from his father that has lasted him a lifetime. “My father adopted seven of his half-brothers and sisters, and he raised them along with his six children,” he said. “He told me a long time ago, ‘It’s very easy to live for yourself; try to live for others.’ That has stayed with me forever.”

Today it’s easy to see his father’s influence on his life. Siraj is the president of the Kiwanis Club of University City, Gainesville’s chapter of the national service organization. Kiwanis focuses on children’s interests and, through guidance and example, works to develop future generations of leaders. The local chapter assists many area groups that focus on our youth, such as Stop Children’s Cancer, the Ronald McDonald House and the Children’s Home Society.

Siraj came to the United States 37 years ago and fell in love not just with the country, but with the city of Gainesville as well. He took a parttime job with Storter Childs Printing Company, saw the commitment that the company had to Gainesville, and knew he had found a good place to work. After performing a wide variety of jobs at the company, he now serves as its president.

Today Storter Childs supports many of the organizations that Kiwanis serves; in fact, that is how he got involved in the organization. Siraj was approached at the company by a Kiwanis member and asked to print some cards that they were distributing to area children, and for each ten cards collected, the child’s name was put into a drawing for a free bicycle. Being a parent of two children himself, Siraj has a special place in his heart for children, so he readily agreed. The man eventually came back and asked Siraj to lunch with the organization, and he joined shortly thereafter.

One of Siraj’s favorite events is the World’s Greatest Baby Shower. Held every spring in Gainesville, the shower provides new and expecting parents with medical, nutritional, safety and early-education exhibits and seminars. Some of these parents are disadvantaged and might not otherwise have access to this information, and Siraj said he’ll never forget the appreciative looks on the parents’ faces.

In addition to his Kiwanis duties, Siraj is also president of the Quarterback Club (area Gator fans who also do charity work) and serves on the Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee.

Siraj’s love for Gainesville and for his charity work comes through loud and clear when he speaks. “I’m still excited about my company and what we do here,” Siraj said. “I’m very much in love with my community, and I think it’s important that if you enjoy your community, you’ve got to give back to your community.”