From left are Tyler Gotowka, member, NCYP, Board President, United Way of Northern Chautauqua County, Lawley Insurance; Monica Simpson, Co-Chair, NCYP, Partner Engagement Coordinator, Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth; Leslie Wille, Co-Chair, NCYP, member, Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club, Community Engagement Coordinator, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation; Lauren Boyle, Toys for Tots volunteer; David Dengler, member, Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club, Owner/Operator, Larson-Timko Funeral Home.

The Northern Chautauqua Young Professionals (NYCP) and Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club co-hosted the second annual Jingle at the Rocks holiday party on Dec. 8. Over 90 attendees gathered at 64 on the Rocks in Fredonia for the event, with all proceeds benefitting Chautauqua County Toys for Tots. Thanks to the generosity of the community members in attendance, the NCYP and Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary club presented Chautauqua County Toys for Tots with a gift of $1,000 to fulfill Christmas wish lists, in addition to more than 100 new, unwrapped toys that Toys for Tots will distribute to families in need.

Lauren Boyle, Toys for Tots volunteer, said of the event, “Seeing the numbers increase so drastically from last year’s event is a true testament to the hard work and dedication the Rotary and NYCP members, especially Dave, Monica, and Leslie, have for our community. I cannot thank our attendees and community enough; the outpouring of support for Toys for Tots this year has been incredible to witness firsthand.”

Dave Dengler of the Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club said, “It was a pleasure for us to collaborate with the Northern Chautauqua Young Professionals on this event again.”

Leslie Wille, a member of the Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club and co-chair of the Northern Chautauqua Young Professionals, shared the sentiment. “Any time there is a chance for organizations to come together and collaborate in this way, our community is better for it. I look forward to working on future projects with these two groups.”

This year, Toys for Tots celebrates its 75th anniversary nationwide, with 22 years in Chautauqua County. The organization provides Christmas gifts for children ages 0-17 throughout the county. In 2021, Toys for Tots distributed toys to 4,392 children from 1,641 local families, and they are on pace to exceed those numbers this year. Toys for Tots relies on donations from public and private fundraising events, such as Jingle at the Rocks, as well as donations of new, unwrapped toys at over 100 collection sites across Chautauqua County.

Sponsors for this event included: the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG), Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club, David Dengler of Larson-Timko Funeral Home, Gugino & Ryel Financial, 64 on the Rocks, DFT Communications, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, United Way of Northern Chautauqua County, Fresh and Fancy Floral Design Studio, and the Chautauqua Center. Additionally, donations for prizes and raffle items were provided by Downtown Brew – Craft Beer Shop & Bar, Aloe Vera Eats, The Hair Bar, Tyler Gotowka, The AG Team, Monica Simpson, Nails Unlimited, and The Peaceful Easel.

The mission of Northern Chautauqua Young Professionals (NCYP) is to network and advocate for young professionals promoting awareness of local opportunities and entrepreneurship endeavors. NCYP strategically engages in social and civic practices enhancing the overall quality of life for young professionals and, by extension, our communities. For more information about how to support NCYP or to become a member of our growing team of innovators, contact co-chairs Monica Simpson (716-363-3770) or Leslie Wille (716-366-4892) or email nchqypro@gmail.com. For information on upcoming events and professional opportunities, we encourage interested parties to visit our website at unitedwayncc.org/nchqyp or request to join our mailing list by emailing nchqypro@gmail.com.

The Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Club is comprised of neighbors and community leaders uniting for a common good and taking on the most pressing challenges of our community and our world. The Rotary motto is Service Above Self. For more information on Rotary, please visit our website at dunkirkfredoniarotary.org.