Happy holiday memories: Terasen Gas employees make wishes come true for
families in transition homes

SURREY, B.C., Dec. 10 /CNW/ - December 1 to 15 marks the sixth annual Terasen Gas Warm Hearts Toy Drive to benefit women and children who have sought temporary refuge in transition homes this season. Over the two-week period, employees will donate new toys, winter clothing and gifts to families living in five Lower Mainland transition homes.

"Because of Terasen's generosity we were able to help more women and children," said Pany Aghili, Executive Director, Dixon Transition Society. "Terasen's gifts will help provide a happy holiday for the families in our Transition House, and allow them to experience the joy of Christmas."

This year, employee donations will be directed to five transition homes, including Nova House in Richmond, Marguerite Dixon in Burnaby, Ishtar House in Langley and Evergreen and Virginia Sam in Surrey.

"Terasen Gas employees have long been ambassadors in their communities and are examples of the corporate social responsibility we, and our sister company FortisBC, value as an organization," said Amy Hennessy, Manager, Community Relations and Chair of Terasen Gas' Warm Hearts Charitable Foundation. "I am always impressed with our employees' willingness to help out in their communities. Together, we are making a difference in the communities we serve."

The Terasen Gas Warm Hearts Toy Drive began in 2005, and has helped families spending the holidays in Lower Mainland transition homes every year since. The families arrive at the transition homes with very limited resources, so the gifts provided by Terasen Gas employees help them have a warmer, happier holiday, during a difficult time.

The toy drive is just one of the community efforts organized each year by Warm Hearts, the registered charity founded and run by Terasen employees. Through employee donations and fundraisers, Warm Hearts has donated more than $500,000 to charities throughout the province since it was founded in 1994.

Warm Hearts helps foster the health and well-being of the communities served by Terasen Gas by offering employees the opportunity to take an active role in making their communities happier, healthier, better places to live. This initiative also reflects Terasen Gas' role in delivering a sustainable future for British Columbians, both by developing and implementing integrated energy solutions and by giving back to the communities in which the company operates.

Warm Hearts funds registered Canadian charities in the Terasen Gas service territory. Funds must be used for capital expenditures and not operating costs.

Terasen Gas is composed of the operations of Terasen Gas Inc., Terasen Gas (Vancouver Island) Inc., and Terasen Gas (Whistler) Inc. Terasen Gas is a leading integrated energy solutions provider, focused on the safe and reliable provision of natural gas, propane and alternative energy solutions. Terasen Gas serves approximately 939,000 residential and commercial customers in more than 125 B.C. communities. Terasen Gas employs more than 1,280 people in British Columbia and is indirectly wholly owned by Fortis Inc., the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada. Fortis Inc. shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol FTS. Additional information can be accessed at www.fortisinc.com or www.sedar.com.

For further information:

Media Contact:

Amy Hennessy
Manager, Community Relations
Terasen Gas
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
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