(WNY News Now) The strength of community togetherness was demonstrated when the United Ways of Chautauqua County’s first-ever joint campaign raised a record-breaking $1,801,385, a 12% increase from the year before.
The United Ways of Chautauqua County demonstrated that this community is stronger when it works together in its first-ever collaborative fundraising campaign.
The 2024 campaign raised $1,801,385.57 in total, which was 12% more than the previous year and the highest amount raised since 2002.
At United Way’s Campaign Celebration on Tuesday, employees, volunteers, community members, and business owners heard firsthand how the organization’s dedication to improving lives has been heightened in recent months, as well as how community engagement has increased and charitable giving has been generous.
According to Amy Rohler, executive director of United Ways of Chautauqua County, this campaign demonstrated the power of uniting as a single, cohesive organization and county. We are genuinely stronger together as a result of the merger, which improved our ability to engage with residents and led to achievements and milestones that above our expectations.
United Way employees present at workplaces across the county as part of the yearly fundraising drive, explaining how donor funds support 48 local programs run by 34 community partner agencies.
This year’s campaign saw a 63% increase in individual donorship, thanks in part to United Way personnel reaching 4,916 workers with nearly twice as many workplace presentations as the previous year.
Participating in those talks had a significant influence, according to 2024 Campaign Co-Chair Bill Soffel. Many people were aware with the phrase United Way, but they didn’t fully get the advantages of group contributing until they heard about the work being done and discovered the specifics of how so many local citizens are affected.
Over the past six months, United Way employees have delivered 152 presentations to employers across Chautauqua County.
According to campaign co-chair Kelly Borrello, there was a palpable excitement around this year’s campaign. People paid attention because of the increased prominence. I can’t even begin to count how many people told me that they were reminded of the important work being done in our neighborhood when they saw the yard signs and learned about the event.
According to Borrello, such publicity not only attracted new donors but also reignited the support of previous contributors. Many retirees expressed that they were unaware of how simple it is to give after leaving their place of employment. They were able to re-engage with a cause that is very important to them thanks to our campaign. The amount of awareness and excitement that spread throughout the county was astounding.
As an impact organization, United Way depends on its yearly fundraising campaign to make sure local organizations have the funding they need to make a significant difference in the lives of the people in their communities. This year, the community came through for the cause.
According to Rohler, it was our best year to date. This giving community is one that our board and employees are honored to be a part of.
United Way is able to continue the much-needed activities and services that are facilitated by local agencies thanks to the annual gifts made by local contributors.
32,991 area residents were impacted by United Way programs in the past year alone.
“We’re trying to make this community stronger,” Rohler stated. Our campaign’s success will enable us to expand Chautauqua County’s capacity, innovation, and impact, transforming it into a place where everyone can live, work, and prosper.