The United Way of Butler County is merging with the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania in hopes that it can enhance its services and help more people.

“We feel that as a region we can have more impact on our community,” said Mary Ann Eisenreich, interim director of the United Way of Butler County. “We'll be able to share resources back and forth. We'll maintain a local presence, local office, local funds, local programs. But we'll be able to share quite a bit of resources and information.”

The merger was announced Thursday. The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, or UWSWPA, covers Allegheny, Westmoreland, Fayette and southern Armstrong counties.

“Our respective dollars and efforts will remain in our local community, and together, we can make a greater impact by growing programming, partnerships and assistance in the local Butler community and across UWSWPA's service area,” LaVallee said.

The Butler United Way will keep its office on West Jefferson Street as well as its staff, and begin searching for a permanent regional director. The county's United Way will now be called United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania — Butler Office.

Read the full story in Sunday's Butler Eagle.