United Way of Chautauqua County - Dunkirk Office

10/29/2026

Sometimes the work happens in the sun, at a restaurant table, over refreshments, in conversation with a dedicated volunteer!

UWCHQ Executive Director Amy Rohler has been on the road today — giving campaign presentations around the county and even catching up with our 2026 Campaign Co-Chair David Maternowski at The White Inn.

Campaigns are built on more than dollars and deadlines. They’re built on relationships, shared ideas and people willing to bring others into the conversation.

That’s the power of connections: bringing people together around a shared commitment to our community and the local programs that help children, families and individuals thrive.

The momentum is building in this year’s fundraising campaign — and meetups like this are a big part of it. Especially when we’ve got a Campaign Co-Chair who can not only sport the brand, but rock some vintage Avengers vibes too!

𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝟔𝟑,𝟐𝟒𝟗 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬.

𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭. Text “UWCHQ” to 91999 or give online using the link in our profile or url below:
https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/MOP1OQ

Want to learn more about starting a workplace campaign at your business? Contact Nick Dean at 716-483-1561 or email [email protected].

𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐲. 💙

The White Inn

10/23/2026

Volunteer for United Way's VITA program and help prepare taxes for residents here in Chautauqua County! Now is the time to sign on to start training for tax season — and both your training and IRS certification are provided!

Every year, the demand for free tax preparation through United Way of Chautauqua County outpaces the number of appointments we're able to offer. More volunteers mean more opportunities to help local families and seniors access a service they rely on.

Through the federal Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, United Way trains volunteers to provide free tax preparation for qualifying residents. Each year, the program helps put significant tax refunds back into the hands of local residents, while saving them the cost of professional tax preparation.

But we need more volunteers to meet the demand.

🙋 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝:
• 𝐓𝐚𝐱 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐬: Help prepare tax returns. No prior experience needed — training and IRS certification are provided!
• 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: Welcome clients, assist with intake and help with paperwork.
• 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: Help bridge language barriers so more local families can access this essential service. Spanish speakers are especially needed.

Volunteers are needed in Dunkirk, Jamestown, Mayville, Sinclairville and potentially other locations. The program runs from January through April, with opportunities on Saturdays, weekday evenings and some weekday afternoons.

Every volunteer makes a difference. With more people on board, United Way can open more sites, offer more appointments and help more local residents navigate tax season.

Help us meet the need. Volunteer with VITA!

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐖!
📞 Call 716-483-1561
📱 Text UWVITA to 41444
📧 Email [email protected]

10/22/2026

Workplace campaigns convert the generosity of local residents into measurable impact here in Chautauqua County.

Employee payroll pledges continue to be one of the most important ways which programs and initiatives get funded by United Way.

Over the past few weeks, UWCHQ Director of Growth & Engagement Leslie Wille has been out meeting with employees at several local banks — communicating the impact their donations have here in their hometown communities.

Click through the pictures here and you’ll surely recognize some of the faces from our visits to Northwest Bank in Mayville, M&T Bank branches in Silver Creek and Fredonia, and Community Bank in Dunkirk as part of this year’s workplace giving campaign.

When employees choose to give a little from each paycheck, those individual gifts add up — helping fund programs that support children, families and seniors throughout our community.

Workplace campaigns also give businesses and their employees a direct way to be part of something bigger than themselves. It’s a simple idea with a lasting impact.

We’re grateful to these local banking teams for taking the time to learn more about United Way and the role they can play in strengthening our community. 💙

𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐆𝐍
Interested in bringing a United Way workplace campaign to your business? Contact Communications & Marketing Manager Nick Dean by calling 716-483-1561 or emailing [email protected] to learn more.

10/16/2026

The behind-the-scenes work that powers each year's campaign never stops!

Our group of campaign volunteers in northern Chautauqua County met again last week to continue the work on connecting United Way to local businesses and individuals.

This work is essential to our successfully hitting our goal each year and continuing funding for local nonprofits as well as our events and initiatives.

Led by Campaign Co-Chair David Maternowski, the 2026 Northern Chautauqua Campaign Cabinet works alongside Executive Director Amy Rohler and our team to connect United Way with workplaces and businesses throughout northern Chautauqua County.

At this recent meeting, the conversation centered on what's next: Cabinet members are leveraging their connections to open doors with local businesses, delivering yard signs to the growing number of businesses showing their support for United Way, and learning more about our 365 Small Business Circle — which is a way for small businesses across the county to join the campaign and help power local impact.

Speaking of yard signs — want to help spread the word?

Simply place a United Way yard sign in front of your home or business to show your commitment to a stronger Chautauqua County. These signs are about starting conversations and reminding our neighbors that local giving fuels the programs which so many local residents rely on.

Reach out for a yard sign today! Snap a picture and tag us! We’d love to see where these signs end up — and share them to our social media feeds!

Every sign helps spread the word. Every gift helps make a local impact. Call Nick Dean to get yours. Simply dial 716-483-1561 or email [email protected].

10/14/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬! It's that time of year again, when you'll see United Way signs popping up across Chautauqua County! 💙

A big thank-you to DFT Communications for putting their support of United Way on display!

Want to help United Way? Simply place a yard sign in front of your home or business and show the community that you are committed to making a positive impact in Chautauqua County!

These yard signs are all about awareness, starting conversations and reminding our community that local giving is what fuels the programs that our family, friends and neighbors rely on.

Reach out for a yard sign today! Snap a picture and tag us! We’d love to see where these signs end up — and share them to our social media feeds!

Every sign helps spread the word. Every gift helps make a local impact. Call Nick Dean to get yours. Simply dial 716-483-1561 or email [email protected].

𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝟔𝟑,𝟐𝟒𝟗 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬.

𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭. 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭 "𝐔𝐖𝐂𝐇𝐐" 𝐭𝐨 𝟗𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟗 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰:
https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/MOP1OQ

10/13/2026

A great evening celebrating the businesses, organizations and people who help move Chautauqua County forward!

On Thursday, UWCHQ Executive Director Amy Rohler and UWCHQ Director of Growth & Engagement Leslie Wille joined fellow community and business leaders at the CHQ Chamber’s annual Chamber Business Awards Banquet.

It was a chance to celebrate this year’s award recipients, recognize businesses reaching significant milestones, and connect with the people and organizations making a difference across our county.

A few familiar faces from the evening:
• Leslie with Monica Simpson, Partner Engagement Coordinator at Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth
• Amy with Jason DeChard, UWCHQ Board Member.
• Amy with Kelly Dimitri, UWCHQ Board Treasurer, and Adam Dimitri, Vice President of Lake Shore Savings.
* Amy and Leslie Wille

Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners! 🎉 We’re pleased to celebrate DFT Communications (Business of the Year), Chautauqua Lake Dental (Business Champion Award), Westfield Makerspace (Emerging Business of the Year), Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation (Not-for-Profit of the Year), Sanfilippo Solutions Inc. (Service Business of the Year), Wells Enterprises (Producer of the Year) and 3 Lakes Cafe (Hospitality Business of the Year).

We’re grateful to be part of a community with so many people working to strengthen our local economy, support our neighbors and create opportunities for the next generation.

Thank you to the CHQ Chamber for bringing the community together for a great evening!

United Is The Way. 💙

09/29/2026

Our Campaign Co-Chair often jokes that the most dangerous spot to stand in Chautauqua County is “between Maternowski and a microphone.” 🎤

And true to form, each time David Maternowski has had a chance to speak with us in recent weeks, he’s made ample use of that time — sharing many meaningful sentiments about this community and United Way.

David’s own connection to United Way began in 1986, when he was asked to represent his company as a volunteer on the organization’s allocations committee. That first experience opened the door to decades of community involvement, including service on local boards and the SUNY College Council.

And through those experiences, he’s seen firsthand how much can happen when people come together around a shared purpose.

At our Campaign Kickoff, David talked about how a workplace giving campaign can reach far beyond the person making a donation. One employee’s gift can inspire a conversation with a friend, relative or coworker — someone who may decide to give, too. Suddenly, one connection becomes another, extending the reach of a campaign and the impact it can make.

As David put it, “𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘺. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦.”

That idea gets to the heart of what we’re talking about with this year’s campaign.

It’s about connecting people to the work happening across Chautauqua County. Connecting generosity to local programs. And helping more people understand how they can be part of something that makes a difference in the lives of their neighbors.

We’re grateful to have David helping lead this year’s campaign — sharing his experience, opening doors and making connections that bring more people into the work.

𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰: 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝟔𝟑,𝟐𝟒𝟗 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫.

Make your gift now and help continue that local impact. Click the link below:
https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/MOP1OQ

09/26/2026

Big thanks to WDOE for sharing the news about this year’s Joseph H. Mason Community Service Award.

This year, we’ll recognize James B. McIntyre of Jamestown, a longtime IBEW Local 106 member whose commitment to organized labor, mentorship and service has made an impact throughout our community.

We’re looking forward to honoring Jim and celebrating the important connection between organized labor and community service at our annual Salute to Labor dinner on October 21.

Get your tickets to the Salute To Labor dinner now!
https://checkout.square.site/buy/K75BIS5TNJITT47AAOQ7ZCTO

The United Way of Chautauqua County will honor a Jamestown resident as the recipient of the 2026 Joseph H. Mason Community Service Award. Joseph McIntyre will be presented t

09/25/2026

There’s something special about bringing people together who care deeply about the community they call home. 💙

Last night, we had the opportunity to do just that at our Northern Chautauqua County Leadership Circle reception, hosted by 2026 Campaign Co-Chair David Maternowski and his wife, Kimberly.

We’re grateful to everyone who joined us — and especially to our Leadership Circle donors whose generosity and continued commitment help make United Way’s work and impact possible throughout Chautauqua County.

David and fellow Campaign Co-Chair Danielle Patti shared a few thoughts about this year’s campaign and, fittingly, a lot of their comments came back to connections.

Connecting people to programs.
Connecting generosity to need.
Connecting our community to opportunities that can change lives.

Those connections are at the heart of what United Way does — and they’re made possible by people who choose to get involved, open doors and invest in the community around them.

Thank you to the Maternowski family for opening their home, and to everyone who spent the evening with us.

We’re grateful for the people who make this work possible.

United Is The Way. 💙

09/22/2026

Check out today’s coverage from the Dunkirk Observer about the kickoff of our 2026 Fundraising Campaign! 💙

Thank you to the Observer for helping share the story of this year’s campaign — and the people behind it.

As we shared yesterday, our Campaign Co-Chairs do much more than lend their names to the campaign. They open doors, make connections and help introduce more people to the work happening across Chautauqua County.

That was on full display at our kickoff aboard the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry, where our Co-Chairs, volunteers, community partners and supporters came together to get this campaign started.

And ultimately, those connections lead back to impact.

The money raised through our annual campaign helps sustain 46 local programs administered by 38 community partner agencies, with 100% of donations staying right here in Chautauqua County.

And we’re just getting started. There are a lot more stories, connections and impact to share throughout this year’s campaign. We can’t wait to connect with our Leadership Circle donors in Northern Chautauqua County this week at David and Kimberly Maternowski’s home!

Check out the Dunkirk Observer’s coverage and follow along as we tell those stories. ⛵️💙

𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰: 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝟔𝟑,𝟐𝟒𝟗 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫.

Make your gift now and help continue that local impact. Click the link below:
https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/MOP1OQ

United Way of Chautauqua County kicked off its 2026 Fundraising Campaign aboard the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry on Wednesday, bringing together supporters to rally behind this year’s drive to fund programs and initiatives impacting children, families and seniors here in our community. More than a symbo...