The United Way of Allegheny County today announced a boost in both money and volunteers for it mentoring program in Pittsburgh Public Schools.

First Niagara has donated $125,000, and Congressman Mike Doyle delivered a $100,000 federal grant to "Be a 6th Grade Mentor," which pairs adult volunteers with sixth-grade students in city schools.

First Niagara also committed 100 mentors to the program over the next two years and is working to expand recruitment through marketing efforts and a telethon on KDKA-TV from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

The program, started last year, has matched more than 220 mentors with local sixth-graders.

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