Charities

The Chautauqua Gran Fondo is a community cycling event designed to promote health and well being for cyclists of all skill levels while raising funds for the following local non-profit organizations

The HISTORIC Bemus Point - Stow Ferry

At it’s inception in 1811, the Bemus Point - Stow Ferry was used as a shortcut across of Chautauqua Lake. Located at the narrows of Chautauqua Lake, this vessel eliminated a 23 mile, three-day journey through swampland, rutted trails, and densely wooded areas to cross to the other side.

Back in operation after a 3-year hiatus for repairs, the Bemus Point - Stow Ferry is the true highlight of our 20-mile social route — a full loop of Chautauqua Lake’s upper basin. We proudly donate $10 of every 20-mile registration to support this Chautauqua Lake treasure.

Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue

Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue (NCCR) was formed to help the neediest dogs and puppies in our area – the strays, the orphaned, and the abandoned. The majority of the dogs taken in are unclaimed strays from all over our county that are turned over to NCCR. In many towns in our area, strays that are not claimed within a certain amount of time are euthanized. When space is available, NCCR also works with high kill shelters throughout Ohio, Indiana, and West Virginia taking in dogs that would otherwise be destroyed due to space constraints. At NCCR all of these dogs are given a second chance at life.

250-350 dogs enter NCCR each year. Some of the stray dogs are claimed by their families and those that are not are put up for adoption. Each dog is altered, fully vaccinated, wormed and micro chipped,  NCCR volunteers work diligently to “match” each dog with a family most suited for the dog; taking into consideration the lifestyle of the family as well as the needs and temperament of that dog. Follow-up telephone calls and/or interviews help assure us that the adoption is successful.

Chautauqua Rails to Trails (CR2T) is a non profit corporation whose reason for existence is to acquire, develop, and maintain multi-purpose recreational trails for public use on or near abandoned railroad rights of way. 

Chautauqua County is blessed with beautiful unused rail corridors winding through picturesque countryside and villages. CR2T is preserving these abandoned rail corridors for conversion into safe off-road trails for recreational use such as walking, running, hiking, bicycling, cross country skiing, bird watching (over 170 species identified), and horseback riding. CR2T provides safe, attractive trails for non motorized trail users.

Northlake Family Recreation Center, located in Westfield, NY, was created in 1998 when Albert and Mary Ann Sam purchased 16 acres of land to develop a multi-sport facility for area residents and sports teams. The Recreation Center includes three full-size soccer fields, a full-size baseball/softball field, two sand volleyball courts, two basketball/pickleball courts, a kick wall, a playground, and a concession/restroom/storage building.