Union Gas celebrates Canadian astronaut on 20th anniversary of historic shuttle flight
Union Gas makes $5,000 donation to Roberta Bondar Foundation
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON, Jan. 26, 2012 /CNW/ - Union Gas salutes Dr. Roberta Bondar -- a medical doctor, scientist, photographer, author and astronaut -- on the 20th anniversary of her flight on the Space Shuttle Discovery. The company is proud to honour Dr. Bondar's many accomplishments by donating $5,000 to the Roberta Bondar Foundation.
Union Gas' Paul Rietdyk, Vice President of Engineering, Construction and Storage and Transmission Operations, will officially present the $5,000 cheque to Dr. Bondar on Jan. 26 at a sold-out tribute dinner in Sault Ste. Marie, hosted by the city, to mark Dr. Bondar's historic flight on the space shuttle, which took place Jan. 22-30, 1992.
"Canadians from all walks of life recognize the amazing journey into space made by Dr. Roberta Bondar, she's a Canadian astronaut who made our entire country so proud," said Rietdyk. "Dr. Bondar is a true role model, and her ongoing commitment to environmental education is inspirational. We know our donation will have a lasting impact on the community."
The Roberta Bondar Foundation supports environmental education through a range of learner-friendly programs that are customized for all age groups, from elementary school kids to adults. The foundation offers this support through an interactive website, seminars, lectures, books, field experiences and exhibitions supported by a range of media resources.
Stewardship is a core value at Union Gas, and the company is particularly mindful of this because nature provides the fuel we deliver to our customers. We also act as environmental stewards in every aspect of our company operations, from pipeline construction to the energy saving programs we design and offer our customers. Union Gas is proud to recognize the environmental efforts of Dr. Bondar -- a Sault Ste. Marie native who is cherished by her city.
Dr. Bondar, an Officer of the Order of Canada who also has the NASA Space Medal, has seen the Earth from a perspective few humans have experienced. In honour of her journey into space, the Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie, Debbie Amaroso, proclaimed Jan. 23 to 30 as Dr. Roberta Bondar Days in the city. This comes at a time when Sault Ste. Marie is celebrating its 100th anniversary, just one month after Union Gas marked its 100th year in business.
Union Gas, a Spectra Energy Company, was founded in 1911 through the amalgamation of three southern Ontario local gas distribution companies. Today, Union Gas, named one of Canada's Top 100 employers for 2012, is the second-largest natural gas utility in Canada, serving about 1.4 million customers in more than 400 communities across Ontario, including Sault Ste. Marie.
The company is committed to contributing to the communities where its employees live and work by supporting direct and indirect employment, offering energy efficiency programs, and helping local organizations through sponsorships, charitable giving and hundreds of volunteer hours. For example, in 2011, Union Gas supported the St. John's Back to Basics Children's Centre in Sault Ste. Marie with a $1,000 Centennial grant. The centre offers a safe environment for students of Étienne-Brûlé Public School to attend and socialize after school. They have an opportunity to eat a nutritious snack and enjoy board games and other activities. Union Gas also supports the United Way of Sault Ste. Marie, the Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority, Ontario Society for Crippled Children and the Sault Ste. Marie Soup Kitchen, among other groups.
About Union Gas
Union Gas Limited, a Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company, is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with assets of over $5.6 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. For more information, visit uniongas.com.
CONTACT:
Andrea Stass
Manager, External Communications and Media Relations
Union Gas Limited
Ph: 519 436-5490 or 1-800-571-8446 ext. 5490
Cell: 519 365-1010
Fax: 519 436-4621
Email: [email protected]
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