Pat Fincher of Jamestown, left, and Jack Kachermeyer of Dunkirk, both over 80-years old, have each been a part of the VITA program for more than 15 years. Kachermeyer has been a VITA volunteer since 2002 when we retired as a meat inspector, long before United Way became the administrator of the program. Volunteers are essential to the success of the VITA program. Each year, the local demand for tax preparation outpaces capacity. If more community members volunteered, more money could be returned to county residents at tax time.

United Way of Chautauqua County staff and VITA volunteers gathered recently to celebrate the successful conclusion of the 2025 tax season, during which more than $1.5 million in refunds were returned to local residents through the free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program.