Siemens Canada donates $10,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Island in Montreal, Quebec

Contribution made in recognition of outstanding employee volunteerism

BURLINGTON, ON, Jan. 18, 2012 /CNW/ - Siemens Canada is making a $10,000 donation to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Island as a result of Siemens employees Donna Cobb, Karen Carbray and Catherine Wadsworth winning the Siemens' Greatest Community Supporter Contest. The donation represents one of three top prizes in the employee contest developed to recognize and reward employees who volunteer and fundraise for their local communities in their spare time.

To enter the Greatest Community Supporter Contest, Siemens' 4,400 plus employees from across Canada, were asked to share their community involvement stories in three categories: individual fundraising, individual volunteering and team community service. Three winning applications were chosen from among dozens of submissions and Siemens is making donations of $10,000 each to charities chosen by the winners in each category.

"Siemens' employees walk the talk when it comes to social responsibility and giving back to local communities," said Ann Adair, vice president, Communications and Strategy.  Ms. Adair, who oversees the strategic direction of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Siemens, went on to say, "I am very pleased with the success of the program and there is no doubt that all applicants deserve a special recognition for being CSR champions in their communities."

The winners of the team community service category, Cobb, Carbray and Wadsworth chose to dedicate Siemens' donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Island in their area of Montreal. The three women have been participating in the "Bowling for Dollars" fundraising campaign as a team every year since 1989. This year each team member contributed more than 20 volunteer hours, organizing local fundraisers and attending the bowling event.

"Our team looks forward each year to volunteering for this event," said Cobb. "We raise money for an amazing organization and have so much fun doing it. We're really excited to be able to help raise an extra $10,000 this year thanks to Siemens."

Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Island provides responsible adult guidance to children who need support and positive influence through quality mentoring programs. The organization recruits and trains volunteers, matches them with children and supports them professionally in their search for a full and happy life.

"With over 100 children participating in our programs we are so grateful to Siemens for their generous donation," said Amy Poirier, Fund Raising Recruitment Developer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Island. "The money will help us facilitate life-changing relationships that inspire and empower children and youth to reach their potential, both as Individuals and citizens. Our focus is on providing the opportunity for positive experiences that play a role in the growth of both youth and the mentor."

About Siemens Caring Hands and the Caring Hands Employee Committee
The Siemens Caring Hands program was established in 2005 to coordinate and bundle corporate social responsibility activities, including donations, volunteerism, disaster relief and sponsorships. In 2010 Siemens Canada formed the Caring Hands Employee Committee to further unite the efforts of the more than 4,000 Siemens employees from coast-to-coast and to champion Caring Hands programs throughout the year including those developed to benefit Siemens' charity of record Cystic Fibrosis Canada. Siemens Caring Hands represents a culture of giving that is cultivated by Siemens in Canada and focuses on support for humanitarian and environmental non-profit organizations. Over the past number of years, Siemens Canada has made a significant impact in enhancing lives through its charitable activities. Further information is available at www.siemens.ca.

About Siemens in Canada
For 100 years the innovative ideas from Siemens have helped make Canada a better place. From the Atlantic to Pacific oceans, more than 4,400 employees in Canada work together to provide answers that last in the fields of industry, energy and healthcare, as well as deliver infrastructure solutions for cities. Since it was federally chartered in August of 1912, Siemens has stood for technical achievements, innovation, quality and reliability. Sales for Siemens in Canada in fiscal 2011 (ended September 30), were $3.0 billion CAD. The company has 61 offices and 13 manufacturing/assembly facilities across Canada. Further information is available at www.siemens.ca

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on the beliefs of the management of Siemens Canada Limited and its affiliates. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "forecast," "expect," "intend," "plan," "should," and "project," are used to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the management's current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause the actual results to be materially different, among others, changes in general economic and business conditions, changes in currency exchange rate and interest rates, introduction of competing products, lack of acceptance of new products or services and changes in business strategy. Actual results may vary materially from those projected here. Siemens Canada Limited and its affiliates do not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.