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Neighbor News

Robeson County Native to be Honored on Long Island

Former Red Springs resident, Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews, to receive Leadership Award

JR Roberts, Neighbor
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Former Red Springs resident, Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews, to receive the 2024 Community Leadership Award at Long Island’s Latin Fiesta Business Expo.
Former Red Springs resident, Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews, to receive the 2024 Community Leadership Award at Long Island’s Latin Fiesta Business Expo. (Photo courtesy NSHCC.)

Former Red Springs resident Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews will receive the Leadership Award at an upcoming event sponsored by Long Island’s North Shore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. This honor is one of many recognizing his outstanding service to the community.

“Even as a young man it was obvious that he was destined to do great things and to give back to his community,” said Stevenson-Mathews’ high school choir teacher, Penny McDonald. “It has been a joy to watch him move from strength to strength in his career and as someone committed to making a difference in the lives of others."

Stevenson-Mathews is pictured with images of both parents. His mother served in the Cadet Nurse Corps. during WWII and later served as Nursing Director of the Robeson County and Scotland County Health Departments. His father served in the Navy, later worked as a dye chemist, and also served as an EMT and dispatcher for the Red Springs Police Department.

Stevenson-Mathews will be presented with the Leadership Award on July 18, 2024, at the Sea Cliff Yacht Club in Sea Cliff, NY. The event, part of the chamber’s Latin Fiesta Business Expo, will include music, entertainment, dancing, raffles, and vendor tables featuring area businesses.

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Recent press conference for Symphony of Hope. Stevenson-Mathews, who serves as a Community Ambassador for the Holaucastu Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC), was invited to join the creative team for the Symphony of Hope. The concert was a collaborative effort on behalf of HMTC, the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, and the Long Island Concert Orchestra.

A freelance communications professional and speech coach, Stevenson-Mathews has worked for many years in arts administration and is a former Glen Cove City Councilman. “Gaitley’s dedication to public service and leadership within the community embodies the values we strive to recognize with this award,” stated Connie Pinilla, Esq., Chair of the North Shore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

2024 Community Leadership Award recipient, Gaitly Stevenson-Mathews, lends a helping hand at a community toy giveaway event sponsored by the NSHCC (North Shore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce). Pictured from left to right are former NSHCC 2nd Vice President and Award Recipient Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews, NSHCC President and Founding Member Connie Pinilla, Esq., and NSHCC Founder and Vice President Ever Padilla.

In addition to his professional endeavors, Stevenson-Mathews is the founder of three non-profit organizations, including the Flora Macdonald Legacy Foundation in his hometown of Red Springs, NC, and, most recently, the Tribute and Honor Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Glen Cove that pays tribute to and supports veterans and veteran causes across Long Island. For more on the upcoming Latin Fiesta Business Expo visit www.nshchamber.org.

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