The new motto of the United Way for 2008 is “Live United.” A pair of Mercer County UW agencies have taken that to heart.

The United Way of Mercer County and Northern Mercer County United Way have merged after unanimous votes by their boards of directors. It was a great move that will benefit not only the agencies involved, but the many people whom these agencies serve.

The United Way of Mercer County has raised as much as $1 million a year for as many as 27 agencies. The northern group was much smaller, raising around $200,000 a year.

The problem with separate agencies — just as it is with the many municipalities and school districts — is in duplication of services. Especially when it comes to administration.

Consider what it costs to pay a director and maintain a small operation like the northern group. That takes up a big percentage of the collected donations.

With administration handled through Jim Micsky, executive director of the UWMC, and his office staff, it will provide a cost savings that can be passed on to the needy clients of the many agencies.

That’s another reason that we think the Grove City Area United Way seriously should think about joining to truly form a single county unit for the same reasons that we have supported the latest merger. But in a news story Thursday, GC executive director Amy Foley said such a move wasn’t in the cards for a variety of reasons.

We believe that the age of parochialism that has hampered Mercer County has to change, whether it be consideration of merging municpalities or United Way agencies. In this case, the fear that the agencies would lose services is ludicrous. If done properly, it should mean better service. Some board members from absorbed areas would sit on the overall board and make sure that happens.

In addition, the merger of local agencies prevents some of the same businesses and industries being approached for money by more than one United Way group. That can be irritating and can hamper donations.

The United Way of Mercer County is preparing to kick off this year’s campaign in September. And we would encourage area people to help in any way they can during this time of a tightening economy.

The slogan “Live United” doesn’t just mean that people should donate money to the United Way, although it’s a good start. It means that people should volunteer their time to help others and advocate that others do the same.

No matter where you live in Mercer County, people need help, and they aren’t about to ask what United Way organization provides it.