With a special event to celebrate the wrap-up of yet another successful year of fundraising, organizers of the campaign took the time to commemorate all of the county residents, businesses, and organizers that came together to make achieving this goal possible. This event encapsulated the motto of the United Way for this campaign year, that one person can only do so much but united we do more.

United Way Executive Director Amy Rohler unveiled the official amount that the organization was able to collect through fundraising this year, that amount being $1,766,124.96. One group that Rohler gave special thanks to was the group of cabinet members for the Northern and Southern County, all of whom helped to build networks across the area. These cabinet members included Pam and Beth Burmaster from Liberty Vineyards, retired Southwestern School worker Marie Donahue, David Foti of M&T Bank, John Fisher from Nestle Purina, Alex Grace of UBS Financial Services, Carol Hay of Community Helping Hands, Dave Lockwood from Lockwood Insurance Agency, Teresa Meger, Ashley Moroski, Pam Mole, Melissa Pietrkiewicz, Lori Reynolds, and Melanie Rotowski.

“Behind every cabinet member, there’s a whole host of volunteers that drop off packets, and have conversations, and see if we can get in the door with a presentation,” said Rohler. “There are volunteers who bag groceries at Wegmans every year for the scan campaign, we have volunteers that help us organize the golf tournament at Shorewood Country Club. Volunteers are the thing that fuel and power our work.”

Rohler also noted the incredible amount of work that was put into this campaign by the various volunteers and employees that have grown so dedicated to supporting this organization. This included giving thanks to about 217 volunteers, who gave a total 816 hours of time to ensure that this campaign would go as smoothly as possible. Rohler noted that the value of those volunteer hours would have totaled $28,388. These volunteers aided the United Way campaign in a way that would not have been possible otherwise, making volunteers one of the essential foundational stones of this campaign. This campaign also saw 349 members of the community that gave to the United Way for the first time, bringing the total number of community donors to 2,684. With growing support from year to year, it not only speaks to the generosity of the area, but also to the work and reach of the United Way staff.

The puzzle that, when assembled, revealed the total amount raised during the 2025 United Way of Chautauqua County’s annual campaign is pictured.

A difference in this year’s campaign was the increased focus on presentations to reach community members more directly, according to Rohler. One example of this was Chautauqua Chemicals, which Rohler stated the group gave the first presentation to this year. While Chautauqua Chemicals has been contributing to the campaign for years, many employees still struggled to understand the true purpose of the United Way. Rohler stated that, with a quick ten-minute presentation, employees were more informed and trusting of the campaign. Chautauqua Chemicals saw an increase to 100% employee participation this year as a result, according to Rohler. Rohler noted the numerous other presentations given by employees, with some being in front of massive groups while others may be to just a couple employees. Regardless, these efforts seemed to work.

Rohler stated that in 2023 the group did 88 presentations, in 2024 151 presentations, and 2025 set a new record with 196 presentations. This better connects and informs those donating to the United Way, and shows how these donations will go to benefit the community.

Three individuals that contributed to the campaign were also recognized with the impact awards. These awards, established in 2020, recognize community members that were impacted by the United Way and have since gone on to find a way to impact others through contributions. Campaign Co-Chairs Andy and Lisa Goodell were invited up to present the awards, with the first being given to Jacob Tierfeld. Tierfeld is an employee at Wegmans, quite a young man in comparison to many that contribute. Despite being young, Tierfeld took incredible initiative, organizing groups of 15 employees so that the United Way could come in for presentations. Additionally, Tierfeld bravely spoke to his fellow employees, telling how the United Way had helped him and noting the importance of the group to the community. Tierfeld, now being a donor to the campaign, continues to extend the voice of the group further into the community. Ron and Melissa Chwojdak were the other individuals recognized with the impact awards. Goodell stated that both Ron and Melissa have been dedicated long-time members of the American Red Cross. The Chwojdak’s have been responsible for organizing blood drives, performing smoke alarm installations, volunteering at various philanthropic organizations, and so much more. With all of these contributions, Goodell proudly recognized the contributions from both Ron and Melissa.

“It is such a pleasure, isn’t it, to recognize people who committed a substantial portion of their life to making our community better. Ron, Melissa, congratulations, well deserved. Thank you for all you do for our community,” said Andy Goodell.

The event concluded with a special gift being presented to Andy and Lisa Goodell, to commemorate their involvement throughout the entirety of the campaign. Rohler noted the emotional strain that can come with such a responsibility, especially with the growing pressure to reach the campaign goal as time progresses. Despite this, the Goodells brought a range of new connections and networks, Rohler said, and also dove deep into data to fundraise in the most efficient ways possible.

United Way Executive Director Amy Rohler presents the total amount raised by this year’s fundraising campaign.

Rohler presented a special wooden sign to the Goodells. This wooden sign had special hearts and blocks hanging from it, each of which commemorated various milestones throughout the campaign.