Lucas Catalano is a lifelong resident of Chautauqua County, having spent most of his life in Dunkirk. He joined the United Way of Chautauqua County Board of Directors in 2013 and currently serves as Board Secretary. In addition to his work with United Way, Lucas has served on the Dunkirk City School District Board of Education and taught Sunday school at Holy Trinity for more than a decade. He has also been employed by the Faculty Student Association at the State University of New York at Fredonia for more than 14 years.Q: How long have you been involved with United Way of Chautauqua County?
A: I joined in 2013, just as a general board member at first and I became the Board Secretary in 2021 for United Way of Northern Chautauqua County. I was actually called by the Vice President of Finance and Administration at the college and asked if I would like to serve on the Board.
A: I joined in 2013, just as a general board member at first and I became the Board Secretary in 2021 for United Way of Northern Chautauqua County. I was actually called by the Vice President of Finance and Administration at the college and asked if I would like to serve on the Board.
Q: What inspired you to join the Board?
A: I like community service and being involved in the community, and that's why I joined United Way. It's an organization that helps every sector of the community and I liked that about it.
A: I like community service and being involved in the community, and that's why I joined United Way. It's an organization that helps every sector of the community and I liked that about it.
Q: What does United Way's mission mean to you personally?
A: It looks at the needs of the community as a whole and we try to help where we're needed. It's that assessment, our research. If that wasn't there to identify the needs, there would be a large gap to fill. People would have to pay out of pocket for Meals on Wheels and Boys and Girls Club wouldn't be able to help parents who can't buy a membership.
A: It looks at the needs of the community as a whole and we try to help where we're needed. It's that assessment, our research. If that wasn't there to identify the needs, there would be a large gap to fill. People would have to pay out of pocket for Meals on Wheels and Boys and Girls Club wouldn't be able to help parents who can't buy a membership.
Q: What's one of UWCHQ's impact areas that resonates most with you, and why?
A: They're all important and I think that that's why I'm involved. As a whole, because it helps multiple areas of a person's life that they may need help with.
A: They're all important and I think that that's why I'm involved. As a whole, because it helps multiple areas of a person's life that they may need help with.
Q: Can you share a moment or experience that has stood out to you during your time with United Way?
A: The annual Golf Tournament is one of the greatest events. It brings the community together. It's just always such a great day. It brings together so many of our partnerships in the area, with corporations and businesses and agencies. Yes, it's a fundraiser asking for money, but it's great that everyone gets to come and do something as part of it.
A: The annual Golf Tournament is one of the greatest events. It brings the community together. It's just always such a great day. It brings together so many of our partnerships in the area, with corporations and businesses and agencies. Yes, it's a fundraiser asking for money, but it's great that everyone gets to come and do something as part of it.
We used to do a Tour de Vine in the fall, which was a bike race around Westfield -- and everyone would visit the different wineries around the region and support them as part of the event. We had a table set up next to the Grape Discovery Center with information and had a "Taste of Northern Chautauqua County." There were prizes, and like the golf tournament -- it brought people together.
Q: Why do you believe United Way's work is so important for Chautauqua County?
A: Without us helping foster some of the nonprofits through our fundraising and help building capacity, there would be gaps or programs that couldn't be put on because there was no funding from us. United Way fills the gaps. When there is an emergency, we are there to help assist and help other nonprofits in the region do the work they do.
A: Without us helping foster some of the nonprofits through our fundraising and help building capacity, there would be gaps or programs that couldn't be put on because there was no funding from us. United Way fills the gaps. When there is an emergency, we are there to help assist and help other nonprofits in the region do the work they do.
Q: What do you enjoy most about serving on the Board?
A: It can be difficult at moments, but I enjoy helping out in the community as best I can.
A: It can be difficult at moments, but I enjoy helping out in the community as best I can.
Q: What's one thing you wish more people understood about United Way?
A: Mainly that our money stays local and just because you see a United Way Worldwide parent organization, our dues are only a small percentage and don't come out of our donor dollars. Gifts made to each year's fundraising campaign remain local here in Chautauqua County.
A: Mainly that our money stays local and just because you see a United Way Worldwide parent organization, our dues are only a small percentage and don't come out of our donor dollars. Gifts made to each year's fundraising campaign remain local here in Chautauqua County.
Q: Anything else you would like to say about United Way or our work in the community?
A: Just that I appreciate the staff and all the hard work they do day in and day out. We couldn't do the important work we do without the staff. It just wouldn't be possible The staff are wwhy we are able to be as successful as we are today.
A: Just that I appreciate the staff and all the hard work they do day in and day out. We couldn't do the important work we do without the staff. It just wouldn't be possible The staff are wwhy we are able to be as successful as we are today.