Amy Rohler, United Way Of Southern Chautauqua County executive director, shows the agency’s 2023 campaign video during a presentation at Bush Industries. United Way has set a goal of raising $1.4 million dollars locally this year, and recently passed the halfway mark. Submitted photo

The generous donors of southern Chautauqua County have propelled United Way’s 2023 fundraising campaign past the halfway mark in the two-and-a-half months since the nonprofit’s Campaign Kickoff.

“We’re 55% of the way to our goal,” said Amy Rohler, UWSCC executive director. “We exceeded our goal last year, finishing at $1.4 million — and we have set our sights on that number for 2023. We’re thankful for everyone who has made a donation or pledged to give, but we still have a long way to go.”

Donations made to United Way go to fund 42 programs administered by 29 local agencies. Those programs serve many needs for residents in the community. United Way must raise funds each year to continually provide that funding. All donations to the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County stays local.

During the last two months, United Way staff and campaign volunteers have been in the community holding campaign presentations at local school districts, on shop room floors, in fire halls and at many local businesses.

More than 150 employers participate in United Way’s annual fundraising campaign by allowing their employees to give through a payroll deduction. In recent weeks, Rohler and staff have visited Shults Auto Group, M&T Bank, Fancher Chair, Weber-Knapp, Dahlstrom Roll Form, Spectrum Eyecare, city government departments, county government departments and the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities.

To reach $1.4 million, United Way relies on the generosity of employees giving through their paycheck, corporate gifts, donations from individuals, planned legacy giving and the support of small businesses.

“It’s an efficient and convenient way to make a charitable gift,” Rohler said. “One donation impacts thousands of children, seniors and family in our community.”

In 2022, the programs funded by United Way uplifted Southern Chautauqua County 23,380 times.

The agency’s efforts are focused on four strategic areas: Academic Success, Health and Independence, A Ready Workforce and Self Sufficiency. Programs funded by UWSCC provide child care, after school sites, youth development, work and career readiness, housing services, essential meals and much, much more.

“Less than 5% of Chautauqua County residents contributed to our 2022 fundraising campaign,” said Rex McCray, 2023 campaign co-chair. “Imagine the impact United Way and our community partners could make if we increased that number of donors.”

“If you haven’t yet given, there’s still time,” said Michelle “Micki” McCray, 2023 campaign co-chair. “It’s energizing to be more than halfway to our goal, and it’s going to be a challenge to meet that number in the course of the next month. If you have already contributed, thank you — and please consider joining so many others this campaign who have chosen to ‘Level Up’ their contributions to United Way of Southern Chautauqua County. It’s not getting any less expensive for the 29 local agencies to facilitate their 42 programs, so it’s very important to us and countless others that we hit our mark.”