In a historic vote, the membership of United Way of Southern Chautauqua County (UWSCC) unanimously approved a merger with United Way of Northern Chautauqua County (UWNCC) and the combined agency will run a unified, county-wide fundraising campaign this fall.
Approved Tuesday during UWSCC’s Annual Meeting, the merger will now move forward to the New York State Attorney General’s office for review and final approval.
The vote Tuesday follows approval given by each agency’s Board of Directors in June to move forward with the merger. Becoming a countywide agency will not only make operations more cost-effective, but will also amplify the impact which the United Ways can enact in the community.
“This is the culmination of many months of work and many years of partnership with much consideration on how best to serve everyone in Chautauqua County, from our donors and community partners to the residents who need the programs we fund each year,” said Amy Rohler, Executive Director of the United Ways of Chautauqua County (UWCC).
News of this year’s combined campaign was met with much excitement, especially as it was also announced Tuesday that there will be two co-chairs leading this year’s campaign – Kelly Borrello of Silver Creek and Bill Soffel of Bemus Point. United Way is aiming to engage donors and supporters from across Chautauqua County this campaign, further strengthening the community's ability to support critical local services and initiatives. For a goal, the United Ways have set $1.8 million as the target amount to be raised.
“We’re so lucky to have the help of Kelly and Bill,” said Tyler Gotowka, UWCC Board member. “The success of our campaign each year is what allows us to fund programs and agencies in the community – and we are confident that with their help, we will be able to increase our impact in Chautauqua County.”
As independent agencies last year, the two United Ways of Chautauqua County impacted the lives of local individuals 32,991 times. Now, as a merged organization, the increase in impact which United Way will be able to have in the community will be exponential.
Each United Way in Chautauqua County began as a local “Community Chest’ more than 100 years ago, and in the time since have continued to serve their respective halves of the county with the same mission: To mobilize the caring power of the community to help better the lives of all residents.
By leveraging the strengths of the two United Ways into one, this consolidation stands to bring about increased organizational effectiveness, a better donor experience, and enhanced support for the 34 partner agencies funded in Chautauqua County.
“We will be stronger together,” said Vince Horrigan, UWCC Board member and Merger Task Force member. “We are one county and this campaign will leverage that fact. It is also the reason we have chosen the phrase ‘Stronger Together’ as this year’s campaign slogan.”
Two kickoff events for UWCC’s 2024 Fundraising Campaign will be held in September, one in Dunkirk and one in Bemus Point.
ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS
Kelly Borrello is a central figure in northern Chautauqua County, not only in the business sector but also through her dedication to community service and charitable organizations.
Bill Soffel is an active member of the community in southern Chautauqua County, making his home in Bemus Point -- though as the Broker/Owner of ERA Team VP Real Estate and Vacation Rentals, his business spans 11 office locations across Western New York and in Northwestern Pennsylvania.
Borrello, who grew up in West Seneca and graduated St. Lawrence University with a degree in math and economics, is the current vice president of the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County as well as past president of the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau, past president of the Hanover Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Sunset Bay Association, an active member of the Silver Creek Kiwanis Club for more than 10 years and a member of the Northern Chautauqua County Economic Development Committee.
Soffel moved to Chautauqua County full-time in 1982 having spent family vacations at his grandparents’ cottage on Chautauqua Lake and working summer jobs at Chautauqua Institution as a high school and college student. Originally from Pittsburgh, Soffel graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a degree in Business/Marketing. His past volunteer commitments include being a past president and board member of the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau; past board member and volunteer with United Way of Southern Chautauqua County as well as past board member of the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Board of Realtors and Buffalo-Niagara Board of Realtors.
Borrello, along with her husband, George, purchased the Sunset Bay hospitality complex consisting of Sunset Bay Beach Club, Cabana Sam’s restaurant, Sunset Bay Deli, Beaches & Cream Ice Cream Stand and Shirt Shack in 2018. She managed the several businesses for 15 years prior to assuming ownership, employing more than 200 individuals seasonally. In 2019 the Borrellos opened Villaggio Italiano in Silver Creek and Breakwall Café in Sunset Bay in 2021.
Soffel and his wife Kari are the parents of five adult children and have six grandchildren. He also currently serves on the ALS Association National Board of Trustees, initially serving as a trustee for a 9-year term between 2011-2020 and now serving a new term which he began last year. For the ALS Association, he also serves as chair of the Advocacy Committee. Other current volunteer commitments include serving as a member of the Upstate NY Leadership Council of the ALS Association and founding the Agents of Hope golf event in 2008 to benefit the ALS Association – which has raised more than $150,000 to date.
Borrello similarly is co-originator and co-host of the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County’s largest fundraiser, the Annual Dinner, which was started to recognize the agency’s 20th anniversary and has continued ever since.
Both Borrello and Soffel are passionate about Chautauqua County, from strong desires to grow the region’s tourism and business development to working to ensure it’s a place where all residents can live, work and thrive.
ANNUAL MEETING
In addition to the merger vote and campaign announcements, Tuesday’s Annual Meeting also featured the first screening of this year’s campaign video. A vote was also held to amend bylaws of the organization and appoint board members and board officers.
Newly appointed members to the merged Board of Directors included: Mary Lou Bailen, Retired; Ivory Brooks, SUNY Fredonia; Lucas Catalano, SUNY Fredonia; Jason Dechard, Community Bank; Kelly Dimitri, The Resource Center; Tyler Gotowka, Lawley Insurance; Kyle Leikam, Financial Services; Matt Newman, Fundamental Wealth Management; Jacob Sam, AG Team; Brad Rowe, Ripley Schools; Jennifer Wilkins, SUNY Fredonia; Don Williams Jr., CSEA; Dave Winchell, Duper’s Restaurant; and Kyle Yelich.
Returning board members appointed to the Board of Directors included: James Cama, Jamestown Public Schools; Luis Castro, Wegmans; Dr. Christopher Colburn, Spectrum Eyecare; Maureen Donahue, Southwestern Central School District; Andrew Faulkner, Ahlstrom Schaeffer; Dan Gullotti, Fessenden Laumer & DeAngelo, PLLC; Carol Hay, retired, Panama Schools; Vince Horrigan, Community; Damien Jackson, UPMC Chautauqua; Deb Kathman, Community; David Lockwood, Lockwood Insurance; Lew Meckley, Community; Bonnie Peters, CSEA Local 807; Mike Roberts, Allied Alarm Services; Jim Sherry, Chautauqua Health Network and Heather Turner, Blackstone Advanced Technologies, Ulrich Fabrication
The United Ways of Chautauqua County work to mobilize the community to help every person and family improve their lives.
