Union Gas helps bring safety to life for London area children

$2,700 grant to The YMCA of Western Ontario Children's Safety Village

LONDON, ON, May 27, 2013 /CNW/ - Union Gas is supporting the YMCA Children's Safety Village's mission to dramatically reduce childhood injuries by teaching children personal responsibility and awareness regarding safety, through a $2,700 grant awarded today.

Ian Ross, Union Gas district manager for London/Sarnia and Marcelo Villanueva, Union Gas utility service manager for London presented the cheque to Joyce Bennett, chair of the YMCA Children's Safety Village Board, today at the Safety Village. A group of Union Gas employees, who are participating in a volunteer project to plant flower and shrubs around the village, also joined the event.

The YMCA Children's Safety Village helps reduce injuries by teaching children from kindergarten to grade 4, through hands on safety lessons, about individual responsibility and awareness while travelling in cars, riding bikes, walking down the street, being in the kitchen and encountering a fire in the home. The lessons are taught by educators from the police and fire departments and link directly to the school curriculum.

"As a company, our focus on safety doesn't end with the workday. We believe in investing in programs that will help make our communities safer 24/7," said Ross. "That's why we make it a priority to support important safety programs like this one, which is helping London area children understand the importance of safety."

"For 12 years, the YMCA Children's Safety Village has welcomed an average of 10,000 children each year.  The children learn critical safety skills and healthy living tips, all while having fun," said Shaun Elliott, CEO of the YMCA of Western Ontario.  "We sincerely thank Union Gas for supporting the Safety Village as we continue to build healthy communities."

In addition to natural gas delivery services for homes and businesses and contributing to the province's economy through investment, job creation, municipal taxes and energy efficiency programs, Union Gas is committed to managing its operations in a way that protects the safety, security, and health of its employees, customers and the public. This value is reflected each year as the company supports communities across Ontario through thousands of volunteer hours for local charitable and non-profit organizations, major charitable giving and sponsorships. Last year alone, Union Gas contributed almost $3 million to charitable organizations across the province, including support for safety programs. For more information visit uniongas.com/community.

About the YMCA of Western Ontario, Children's Safety Village
The YMCA Children's Safety Village, located in the Thames Valley District within the Fanshawe Conservation Area, operates in conjunction with educators from the police and fire departments, with support from the Board of Directors, the London District Catholic School Board, and the Thames Valley District School Board. The YMCA Children's Safety Village is a child-sized village. Through hands on safety lessons the Children's Safety Village helps reduce injuries by teaching children from kindergarten to grade 4 about individual safety and awareness while travelling in cars, riding bikes, walking down the street, being in the kitchen and encountering a fire in the home.

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 $5.8 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 2011, 2012 and 2013. For more information, visit uniongas.com.

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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
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]

YMCA of Western Ontario, Children's Safety Village
Mike Ennis
General Manager Stoney Creek Community Centre YMCA & Library and Director of Camping
Ph: 519-667-4400
[email protected]
[email protected]