12/31/2025
We join our friends at The Resource Center in encouraging folks to make a year-end donation to the Dr. John Vona Smile Fund to provide needed dental services to people with disabilities.
The clock is ticking toward the deadline to make a tax-deductible financial gift before 2025 ends. If you’re looking for a cause to support, consider a gift to the Dr. John Vona “Smile” Fund to improve the oral health of people with disabilities.
Dr. Vona had a 60-year career as an area dentist. He worked in our Dunkirk Dental Office for 20 years before retiring in 2022. He passed away in 2024.
Dr. Vona’s children came up with the idea of creating the Smile Fund to carry on their father’s legacy of providing compassionate dental care to people with disabilities. The children (Linda Hart, Dr. David Vona, Sandy Stewart, and Daniel Vona) seeded the fund with a $15,000 gift.
“My dad always believed in treating everyone with dignity and kindness, and his dental practice truly reflected that,” said Linda. “He had such a deep love for this community and was always looking for ways to give back. This fund is a way to carry on his spirit of compassion and make sure his legacy of helping others continues, especially for those who need it most.”
Please give people with disabilities a reason to smile by making a donation to the Dr. John Vona “Smile” Fund. To donate, visit https://fillingthegap.net/donate/.
The Smile Fund is one of several Resource Center funds managed by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. The Smile Fund is overseen by Filling the Gap, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that raises money to support The Resource Center’s mission.
