New TRC fund will support dental services for people with disabilities

A new fund created in memory of a former TRC dentist will support the provision of dental services to people with disabilities.

The Resource Center and Filling the Gap, Inc., have established the Dr. John Vona “Smile” Fund thanks to a $15,000 donation from Dr. Vona’s children (Linda Hart, Dr. David Vona, Sandy Stewart, and Daniel Vona).

The fund is named in memory of Dr. John Vona, who worked in TRC Community Health Center’s Dunkirk Dental Office for 20 years before retiring in 2022. He passed away in Match 2024.

Several months ago, Dr. Vona’s children contacted The Resource Center with the idea of creating the Smile Fund to carry on their father’s legacy of providing compassionate dental care to people with disabilities.

“My dad always believed in treating everyone with dignity and kindness, and his dental practice truly reflected that,” said Linda Hart. “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.”

Filling the Gap will use the Smile Fund to help close the gap in oral health services for people with disabilities. “We are incredibly grateful for this new fund and the opportunity it presents to expand vital services to those who need them most,” said Greg Krauza, President of FTG’s Board of Directors.

Dr. Vona’s former colleagues at TRC Community Health Center remember him fondly, and they are thankful for the creation of the Smile Fund and the opportunity to serve more people with disabilities.

“We were so fortunate to work with Dr. Vona at our dental office in Dunkirk for so many years. He was a bright spot in everyone’s day and treated each patient with genuine kindness,” said Heather C. Brown, Vice President for Clinical Operations at The Resource Center and Community Inclusion, Inc., which operates TRC Community Health Center.

“It is an honor that his family has elected to continue his legacy and support of individuals in need of dental care in our community.”

“For those who had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Vona, his unwavering passion for serving people with disabilities left a permanent mark on us all. His kind and compassionate nature that he brought to our practice sets the standard for our continued mission to provide the best healthcare we can to our community,” said Lindsay VandeVelde, Community Inclusion’s Executive Director.

“Our gratitude goes out to the Vona family for their generous establishment of the Smile Fund. Their commitment and supportive gesture foster our mission to meet the oral healthcare needs of individuals with disabilities,” Lindsay added.

Taking part in the contract signing to formally establish The Resource Center Dr. John Vona Smile Fund are, from left, Linda Hart and Dr. David Vona, children of Dr. John Vona; Greg Krauza, President of Filling the Gap’s Board; Cindy Hitchcock, Filling the Gap’s Chief Executive Officer; and Tina Downey, Development Officer at Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

Dr. Vona, fondly called “Doc” within the community, completed school at the University of Buffalo’s Dental School in 1961 and immediately entered the U.S. Army Reserve Dental division at Ft. Riley, KS. After an honorable discharge, he set down roots in Silver Creek, NY. He had a thriving dental practice for more than 45 years and continued to work well into his mid-80s for The Resource Center at TRC Community Health Center in Dunkirk, NY, where he retired after working 61 years as an area dentist.

He prided himself on building relationships and patient care with a splash of humor. Dr. Vona was a compassionate and highly respected local dentist whose career was defined by kindness, dedication and a heartfelt commitment to serving others — especially individuals with special needs. The “Smile” Fund pays tribute to both his professional legacy and the joy he brought to his patients, co-workers and community.

The Vona family plans to raise money for the fund via the Laurel Memorial Run and Walk, which celebrates people with disabling conditions. The Laurel Run/Walk was created in 1997 by longtime TRC volunteers Wayne and Elaine Hotelling in honor of their daughter Laurel, who had Down syndrome. Dr. Vona regularly attended the event.

“The Laurel Run meant a lot to him,” Linda Hart said of her father, “not just for the cause, but for how it brought people together.”

In addition, Dr. Vona was the dentist for Laurel and her siblings, which enhances the connection between the Vona and Hotelling families.

The Smile Fund joins six other TRC funds that are managed by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

“The Dr. John Vona ‘Smile’ Fund is a beautiful tribute and a meaningful investment in our region’s well-being,” said Tory Irgang, CRCF’s Executive Director. “We are proud to continue our partnership with The Resource Center and grateful to the Vona family for choosing the Foundation as a steward of their father’s legacy.”

People can donate to the Smile Fund at https://fillingthegap.net/donate. Applications for assistance from the Smile Fund are available at Filling the Gap, 716-661-1519.

Posing together at TRC Community Health Center in Dunkirk to announce the creation of the Smile Fund are, from left are, front row, Gladys Alverio, Dr. John Vona’s Dental Assistant during his time at TRC Community Health Center; Linda Hart, Dr. Vona’s daughter; Kelly Dimitri, TRC’s Chief Operating Officer; Lindsay VandeVelde, Executive Director of Community Inclusion, Inc.; and Heather C. Brown, Vice President for Clinical Operations; and, back row, Dr. David Vona; Greg Krauza, President of Filling the Gap’s Board; Elaine and Wayne Hotelling, co-founders of the Laurel Memorial Run & Walk; Cindy Hitchcock, FTG’s Chief Executive Officer; and Tina Downey, Development Officer at Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.