Legis. Steven J. Flotteron recognized Steven D. Gellar of West Islip at the second Jewish American Heritage Day celebration in Hauppauge as Suffolk County Jewish-American nominee for the 11th Legislative District (LD). He, along with nominees from other LDs, were celebrated for their contributions to their communities.   

Gellar is very active in his community with strong ties to organizations such as Sagtikos District, Suffolk County Council, Scouting America; Reform Educational Financing Inequities Today, Director; West Islip Little League and Soccer Club coach; and Captree Republican Club, president. He has served as president and vice president on several school boards such as West Islip Board of Education; Nassau-Suffolk School Boards Association and Manetuck Elementary School PTA. He presently serves on the Little Flower Board of Education and Suffolk Community College Early Childhood Education Advisory Board.

He has earned several recognitions for his community service such as Scouting America Silver Beaver Award; Sagtikos District Award of Merit; Partners Advancing West Islip Students (PAWS) Outstanding Community Member Award; American Legion Post 1738 Man of the Year Award and New York State PTA’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Most recently, Gellar along with Legis. Flotteron met with Rabbi Shimon Stillerman with the Chabad of Islip regarding an Anti-Bullying Initiative brought forward following several local parents reported incidents with their children in their local schools. In response, they held lectures at several local middle schools and high schools attended by parents and their children.