Submitted Photo Pictured with some of the toys donated to the Rural Ministry are Lakeshore Street Rods officers Keith Ossman, Dan Salerno, and Jeff Salerno; President Dale Davis; and member Joel Polito.

An annual tradition of the Lakeshore Street Rod Association has once again delivered holiday cheer to families who need it most. At the group’s annual Christmas party, the Lakeshore Street Rod Association collected roughly 80 toys from its members to donate to the Chautauqua County Rural Ministry.

The tradition dates back several years, as the Street Rods ask members to bring toys to the annual Christmas party each year. The proceeds are then donated to a community organization in the Dunkirk-Fredonia area each year.

Street Rods President Dale Davis was joined by Keith Ossman, Dan Salerno, Jeff Salerno and Joel Polito as the gifts were delivered to the Rural Ministry. Davis said the folks at the Rural Ministry were “very appreciative” of their efforts.

“It’s nice to help an organization out this time of year,” Davis said.

Throughout the year, the Lakeshore Street Rod Association helps out local organizations in northern Chautauqua County.

The annual Harbor Cruise at Point Gratiot each summer is the group’s largest fundraising event, with a total of $11,500 collected this past summer to benefit five local organizations: Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels, the Chautauqua County Veterans Endowment Fund, Lakeshore Humane Society, Spoke Folk of Dunkirk, and the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County. Davis said “it’s going to be a busy year again” in 2026, with several fundraisers in the works.

“Everything we do, we try to benefit the community in some way, shape or form. It’s a pleasure doing it,” Davis said.