Community

A generous twist for one Mattituck Chamber scholarship winner

Scholarship winners with members of the chamber board. Back row (L-R): Oliver Orr, Caralee Stephens, Christopher Sledjeski, Courtney Murphy, Terry McShane, Martin Finnegan. Front row (L-R): Donielle Cardinale, Brooke Dailey, Danielle Lascala and Kelly Fogarty. Courtesy photo.
Scholarship winners with members of the chamber board. Back row (L-R): Oliver Orr, Caralee Stephens, Christopher Sledjeski, Courtney Murphy, Terry McShane, Martin Finnegan. Front row (L-R): Donielle Cardinale, Brooke Dailey, Danielle Lascala and Kelly Fogarty. Courtesy photo.

The Mattituck Chamber of Commerce — and even moreso, one local student — got a pleasant surprise this week before its annual scholarship awards dinner.

Chamber president Terry McShane was booking the event at CJ’s American Bar & Grill recently when restaurant owners Chris and Joanne Richards asked what the event was for.

“Our annual scholarship dinner,” Mr. McShane said.

“How much are the scholarships?” they asked.

“One thousand dollars,” he said.

Within minutes, the restaurant had cut a check helping to pay for a fourth scholarship in conjunction with Suffolk County Sixth Precinct Cops Who Care.

On Wednesday, the winners of those scholarships — three of which were given by the Chamber of Commerce — were recognized at CJ’s. While over 20 local scholars applied for the $1,000 gifts to help pay for school, “it was really hard to choose. Finally they picked three great kids.”

Martin Finnegan, Debbie Orlowski and Trish Horan interviewed and vetted the applicants.

Oliver Orr, Christopher Sledjeski, Courtney Murphy and Caralee Stephens each earned the $1,000 scholarships.

Funding for the scholarships comes through the chamber’s annual street fair. This year’s will take place on July 11, rain or shine.