$150,000 Union Gas pledge jumpstarts 2012 Chatham-Kent United Way campaign

'Pacesetter' donation to support local agencies and programs

CHATHAM, ON, Sept. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - The 2012 United Way of Chatham-Kent Campaign received a boost today, thanks to a $150,000 Pacesetter pledge from Union Gas.

Company president Steve Baker delivered the pledge at a 2012 United Way campaign launch celebration at the Chatham-Kent Municipal Office. Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope, members of council, United Way board members, staff and volunteers, as well as this year's United Way campaign chairs Stacey and Scott Ewing joined in the ceremonial flag-raising celebration.

"In these challenging economic times there is an ever-increasing need for the vital services funded through United Way," Baker said. "By supporting United Way, we're making a difference in this community and I hope our pledge inspires others to contribute to this essential cause."

Union Gas' Pacesetter pledge represents a portion of the funds to be raised through the company's annual employee-led campaign, which last year contributed almost $600,000 to United Way of Chatham-Kent.

"Union Gas and its employees have been a pillar of our annual campaign for decades and each year they have been giving more," said Karen Kirkwood-Whyte, United Way's chief executive officer. "United Way works hard to ensure each dollar it receives makes the greatest community impact by supporting about two dozen local agencies and programs. This generous pledge demonstrates that Union Gas practices what they preach, and we are grateful for their community leadership."

Over the past 100 years, Union Gas has been privileged to work in more than 400 Ontario communities. In addition to natural gas delivery services for homes and businesses, Union Gas has contributed to the province through significant economic investments, hundreds of jobs, millions in municipal taxes, energy efficiency programs, thousands of volunteer hours for community organizations, major charitable giving and sponsorships. Last year alone, Union Gas contributed $3 million to charitable organizations across Ontario, including more than $900,000 to United Way. For more information visit uniongas.com/community.

About Union Gas
Union Gas Limited is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with 100 years of experience and service to customers. The distribution business serves about 1.4 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in more than 400 communities across northern, southwestern and eastern Ontario. Union Gas' growing storage and transmission business offers a variety of storage and transportation services to customers at the Dawn Hub, the largest underground storage facility in Canada and one of the largest in North America.  The Dawn Hub offers customers an important link in the movement of natural gas from Western Canadian and U.S. supply basins to markets in central Canada and the northeast U.S. Union Gas, named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers and one of Canada's Greenest Employers, for 2012, is a Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company with assets of $5.8 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. For more information, visit uniongas.com.

SOURCE: Union Gas Limited

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