$5,000 donation made in honour of company's century of service to communities
OAKVILLE, ON, Jan. 12, 2012 /CNW/ - Union Gas is partnering with Mattamy Homes - a leading Canadian homebuilder - to support a community fundraising campaign aimed at helping children get stronger and healthier so they can grow into productive adults.
To honour its century of service to Ontario communities, which Union Gas celebrated throughout 2011, the company is donating $5,000 to the Peter Gilgan Foundation, created by Mattamy Homes founder and CEO Peter Gilgan in 2005.
Union Gas is directing its donation toward the Oakville YMCA's annual Strong Kids fundraising campaign, which supports programs that help children attend day camp and participate in recreation and fitness activities, as well as helping struggling teens.
"Union Gas and Mattamy Homes share a common goal - to help build stronger communities, which includes helping our young people grow into healthy, productive adults," said Mel Ydreos, vice-president of government and aboriginal affairs at Union Gas. "We work hard here at Union Gas to be a partner of choice in the communities we serve, not only by delivering safe, reliable and affordable natural gas, but also by supporting community and non-profit organizations whose goals align with ours. That's why we are very pleased to support the Oakville YMCA's Strong Kids campaign, through our grant to the Peter Gilgan Foundation."
Ydreos presented the $5,000 cheque to Mary Jane Dekort, Mattamy's president of Canadian operations and chief marketing officer, at Mattamy's head office in Oakville this week.
"We are delighted that Union Gas has partnered with us to support the YMCA's Strong Kids program," Dekort said. "It's an excellent community initiative for many families in the Oakville area."
Mattamy Homes is Canada's largest new-home builder, with over 50,000 homes built in more than 150 communities across North America since 1978.
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 in 2012, is the second-largest natural gas utility in Canada, serving about 1.4 million customers in more than 400 communities across Ontario, including Oakville.
Union Gas is an active member in homebuilders' associations across the province, including the Hamilton Halton Home Builders Association, which represents builders in Oakville, as well as a long-time supporter of Habitat for Humanity.
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 2010, Union Gas employees joined forces with Habitat for Humanity Halton to build two new "Built Green" homes for families in Oakville. The company's commitment to energy conservation and sustainable homes was demonstrated through the installation of Drain Water Heat Recovery units in each of the homes. The energy savings from drain water heat recovery units can be significant, saving an average homeowner up to 30 per cent a year in water heating costs.
Union Gas also supports the United Way of Oakville and offers the Winter Warmth Program through the Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre in Oakville. And through its Helping Hands in Action program in 2011, Union Gas employees and retirees completed projects in Oakville for Safetynet Children & Youth Charities and the Halton Regional Police Service Children's Safety Village.
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.
Image with caption: "Mary Jane Dekort, president of Canadian operations and chief marketing officer at Mattamy Homes Mel Ydreos, vice-president of government and aboriginal affairs at Union Gas (CNW Group/Union Gas Limited)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120112_C3434_PHOTO_EN_8825.jpg
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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