The Dexter Chamber of Commerce held their annual awards banquet on Friday, March 22, 2024. Since the Chamber began 80 years ago, the theme was the 1980s. Members dressed in their best 80s themed clothing and the Elks Lodge was decorated in 80s theme!
Alisha Trammell, Dexter Chamber Executive Director presented the Lifetime Achievement Award.
In the pursuit of a purposeful existence, the objective is not immortality but the creation of something lasting.
Tonight, we pay tribute to an individual whose enduring legacy has compelled the Dexter Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to bestow upon him the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Across his extraordinary journey, this individual has epitomized the highest standards of service, leadership, and philanthropy, embedding himself deeply within our community for several decades.
Operating with understated efficiency, this individual thrives in the shadows, attending to needs without seeking acknowledgment. Beyond the anticipated acts of kindness, such as providing warm shelters for stray cats after spaying and neutering them, his benevolence extends to unexpected moments of compassion.
In 2009, following the aftermath of the ice storm, he personally transported individuals and families to warming centers, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to our community.
Similarly, in 2021, when a tornado struck, he once again purchased and distributed sandwiches to those tirelessly engaged in cleanup efforts.
In his earlier years, he dedicated fifteen years to coaching little league baseball and donated his time as the voice of the
Dexter Bearcats for over a decade. His active participation in the Dexter Lions Club for more than two decades culminated in being honored as Lion of the Year.
Serving on the Chamber Board of Directors and as a past president, he was duly recognized as Dexter's Man of the Year.
Anyone, make any guesses as to who we are honoring tonight? Let me give you a few more hints.
This individual harbored a deep desire for the Dexter community to have an informal gathering to inaugurate the Christmas Season.
In 2009, he took the initiative to organize the inaugural Dexter Christmas Reading, an event that has since become an annual tradition, uniting hundreds of citizens around fire pits, Christmas carols, and the story of Jesus' birth.
A passionate advocate for our local hospital, he dedicated a decade of service to the Mercy Stoddard Regional Board of Directors.
His contributions, spanning decades, have undeniably left a permanent mark on every facet of our community.
What truly distinguishes this individual is not merely the extensive list of his accomplishments but the profound impact he has had on countless lives. However, the most extraordinary element of tonight's presentation lies in the element of surprise.
Had he been notified in advance, he undoubtedly would have attempted to redirect the award to someone else,
showcasing the selflessness that characterizes this extraordinary man.
With deep gratitude and profound admiration, it is my esteemed honor to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to none other than Mr. Greg Mathis.
