The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that its Pam Lydic Coalition Builder Award for 2021 will be presented to the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, and the United Ways of Northern and Southern Chautauqua County. The four organizations are being recognized for their foundational roles in development of the Chautauqua County Response Fund.

In March 2020, a coalition of organizations joined together to create a centralized funding pool that was able to quickly deploy resources to community-based organizations to address the dramatic economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. Since its inception, the Chautauqua County Response Fund has raised more than $1 million from individuals, community organizations, and local foundations.

Grants from the first phase were focused on crisis response to provide for basic human needs, health and safety, and providing general operational support grants to nonprofit organizations that lost revenue or experienced dramatic increases for services.

The Chamber of Commerce witnessed the dramatic and immediate impact on the local population as businesses were closed at the onset of the pandemic. We recognize the crucial role of nonprofit organizations as they worked to fill those immediate needs, but also as they continue to serve and to help bolster our local economy. The way our local community foundations and United Ways came together in a time of need speaks directly to the type of coalition building that Pam Lydic stood for.

The Pam Lydic Coalition Builder Award recognizes individuals or organizations in the region that have worked hard to bring groups of people together around a common goal or objective. This award is presented to those that have helped to move the region forward in a positive direction through collaboration and by building partnerships. The award is particularly focused on those who have done their work consistently and often times in the background. It is named in memory of Pam Lydic, the first President and CEO of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, who was instrumental in bringing together smaller Chambers of Commerce to create a countywide entity 20 years ago. The award includes a $500 donation from the Chamber of Commerce to a non-profit charity of the recipients’ choice.

The award will be presented during the Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting, to be held at 12:00 noon, Friday, December 3 at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel. The Chamber’s Annual Meeting is sponsored by the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, DFT Communications, Jamestown Community College, Media One Radio Group. OBSERVER, and The Post-Journal. Reserve your lunch spot now for this event at www.chamberrsvp.org. The Chamber Annual Meeting will be held as a hybrid event, so participants may either attend in person or view online.

ENJOY BUSINESS AFTER HOURS IN MAYVILLE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18

The Chautauqua County and Mayville-Chautauqua Enjoy an evening in Mayville with the Chamber of Commerce. The Chautauqua County and Mayville-Community Chambers of Commerce invite you to save the date for a double-header evening November 18!

Business After Hours with the Chamber will be held from 5-6:30pm at Chautauqua Suites, 215 West Lake Road, Mayville. Business After Hours is a fun social event and is free for two representatives from any Chamber member business, or just $15 for non-members. Enjoy networking, appetizers, and a cash bar. This Business After Hours event is sponsored by Chautauqua Suites, DFT Communications, Media One Radio Group, OBSERVER, and The Post-Journal.

The Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber Committee will follow up with its annual Awards Dinner starting at 6:30pm at Webb’s Captain’s Table at 115 West Lake Road, Mayville. Advanced registration is required for the dinner no later than Monday, November 15.

Masks will be required for all attendees at either event until they are seated to eat or drink.

Registration is open now for either or both events. Check out the Chamber’s calendar at www.chautauquachamberorg.

CHAMBER ASSISTS WITH DOWNTOWN JAMESTOWN HOLIDAY PARADE

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is a partner this year in the Downtown Jamestown Holiday Parade, to be held at 6pm, Saturday, December 4. The Chamber is helping by coordinating online registration for the event, which is being planned by the City of Jamestown and Collaborative Children’s Solutions under the direction of Patrick Smeraldo. To learn more about the day’s events or to sign up to participate in the parade visit www.jtny.events.

COMMUNITY FOCUSES ON HOLIDAYS

A number of community organizations from the Westfield area have come together to organize the Let There Be Light Parade, Saturday, November 20 at 4:30pm. Local organizations interested in participating can fill out the entry form available on the Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber Facebook page. The entry deadline is November 15. All entries must have lights and a team of celebrity judges will determine the winner. Prizes for best entry are sponsored by Grace & Abe’s in Westfield. This event is part of Christmas in the Village, and both are being organized by the Village of Westfield, Village of Westfield Beautification Committee, Patterson Library, Westfield Development Corporation, and the Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber of Commerce.

TUESDAY TALKS RETURNS DECEMBER 14

Save the date now for the return of Tuesday Talks, December 14. Tuesday Talks features information pertinent to all types of businesses in a convenient, hour-long panel discussion held online. Our topic for December 14 is Business Security, with a focus on both physical security steps as well as cybersecurity. Watch our online calendar for additional details.