(UWFV) and United Way of the Lower Mainland (UWLM) have announced that they are merging and will now operate as one entity across the Lower Mainland, the Sea to Sky corridor, the Sunshine Coast and the Fraser Valley from Abbotsford to Boston Bar.

The combined United Way will be called . The head office will be located in Burnaby with an office in Abbotsford.

The vote to combine the two organizations was made June 14 at the UWFV annual general meeting.

鈥淲e saw this as an opportunity to combine strengths and local knowledge to better serve our regions,鈥� said Robin Marshall, outgoing UWFV board chair.

鈥淯nited Way will continue to have a strong presence in the Fraser Valley. Funds raised in the Fraser Valley will continue to be invested in the Fraser Valley.鈥�

UWLM board chair Jerry Lampert said the decision was based on 鈥渂uilding a better future鈥� for the communities served.

鈥淥ur goal is to deliver even greater results right across the Lower Mainland, including the Fraser Valley, and to boost our capacity for good while realizing economies of scale resulting in reduced fundraising costs.鈥�

Up to two board members from the former UWFV will stand for election to the UWLM board of directors at its annual general meeting on Tuesday, June 20.

There are 28 organizations funded by the former United Way Fraser Valley. Those organizations will now join the family of 189 organizations funded by United Way of the Lower Mainland.

On Wednesday, UWLM announced that it will be in support of Lower Mainland children, families and seniors.