Union Gas Gives $20,000 to Help Chatham-Kent Hospice

Contribution will assist with much-needed volunteer network initiatives

CHATHAM, ON, Oct. 15, 2014 /CNW/ - Union Gas President Steve Baker announced today that the company will make a contribution of $20,000 to the Chatham-Kent Hospice to fund volunteer network initiatives.

Baker was in attendance at a Chatham-Kent Hospice event at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre to celebrate the total amount raised during the group's recently completed Thanks for Giving Community Campaign.

The $20,000 from Union Gas is via the Spectra Energy Foundation. Spectra Energy is the Houston-based parent company of Union Gas.

Chatham-Kent Hospice, in collaboration with St. Andrew's Residence, plans to open a 10-bed residence designed to fill a need for end-of-life care in a home-like setting. The group's Capital Campaign Goal is $5 million, of which $3 million is needed to build the facility and $2 million is for an operational sustainability fund.

"A sense of caring among all of us cements and strengthens our community. We at Union Gas care about the health of the communities we serve. And based upon that caring nature and our role as a partner of choice with this community, Union Gas understands and supports the need for the Chatham-Kent Hospice," said Baker.

Jennifer Wilson, chair of the board of directors of Chatham-Kent Hospice, welcomed the Union Gas support.

"Volunteers are vital to the success of our residential hospice. They are central to the compassionate caring support we will provide. We will need over 100 volunteers in a variety of capacities, from holding hands and reading to our residents to gardening and baking muffins," said Wilson.

"The donation from Union Gas to support and train our volunteers is very much appreciated and will help our many volunteers give a priceless gift to those who are affected by end-of-life challenges," Wilson added.

For more than 100 years, Union Gas has been privileged to work in more than 400 Ontario communities. Each year, the company supports the communities where its employees live and work through thousands of volunteer hours for local charitable and non-profit organizations, major charitable giving and sponsorships.

Last year, Union Gas donated close to $3 million to community and charitable organizations in Ontario, including over $928,000 to United Way. In addition, Union Gas employees, retirees, family and friends provided over 17,000 volunteer hours to help strengthen the communities where they live and work.

About Chatham-Kent Hospice
The Chatham-Kent Hospice will be a 10-bed residence that cares for patients and their families and friends who are dealing with a terminal illness, providing comfort, support and pain management in a home-like setting. The group's Capital Campaign Goal is $5 million: $3 million to build and $2 million for an operational sustainability fund. By collaborating with St. Andrew's Residence, and in cooperation with other service providers, we will offer an alternative to dying at home or in hospital.

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 100 years of experience and service to customers, assets of over $6.4 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. The distribution business serves about 1.4 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in more than 400 communities across Ontario. Union Gas is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2014. For more information, visit uniongas.com or find us on Twitter: twitter.com/uniongas, Facebook: facebook.com/uniongas and YouTube: youtube.com/user/uniongas.

SOURCE: Union Gas Limited

CONTACTS: Union Gas Limited, Andrea Stass, Manager, External Communications and Media Relations, Ph: 519 436-5490 or 1-800-571-8446 ext. 5005490, Cell: 519 365-1010, [email protected]; Chatham-Kent Hospice, Jodi Maroney, Director of Development, Chatham-Kent Hospice, Ph: [phone], [email protected]