Union Gas Helps Build Leadership Capacity in Waterloo Region

$5,000 grant to Leadership Waterloo Region

KITCHENER and WATERLOO, ON, June 25, 2014 /CNW/ - Union Gas is helping to connect and nurture rising community minded decision-makers through the continued support of the Community Leadership Development Program courtesy of a $5,000 grant awarded to Leadership Waterloo Region.

Aaron Chapman, Union Gas manager of construction and growth and Yvonne Huang, Union Gas construction project manager, presented the cheque to Leadership Waterloo Region's executive director Anne Lavender at the Annual Commencement ceremony held today at Luther Village on the Park in Waterloo. The event marked the completion of the program for 20 emerging leaders and 20 Youth on Board participants, and was attended by representatives and supporters from government, business and the social profit sectors in the waterloo region community.

"At Union Gas, we believe the communities we serve across Ontario should flourish. We are proud to partner with your community and this is one way we highlight that valuable partnership," said Chapman. "We believe our support of Leadership Waterloo Region and its Community Leadership Development Program will make a real and lasting contribution to the future of the Waterloo region."

Leadership Waterloo Region's Core Program brings together established and emerging community leaders to build a network that will continue the vision of those who built this amazing region. Tailored for busy professionals from business, government and social-profit, the Leadership Waterloo Region program provides an opportunity for participants to explore their personal leadership styles, practice leadership skills in a group setting and learn more about the community including its outstanding characteristics and challenges.  Leadership Waterloo Region's 350+ alumni are heavily involved on more than 320 local boards of directors and committees. In addition, some have elected to serve in public office. The organization regularly links alumni with leadership opportunities and helps social-profit organizations share information with the alumni network.

"Union Gas is a longtime supporter of Leadership Waterloo Region through financial contributions and by making it possible for one of their rising stars to participate in our program every year since 2003," said Lavender. "We're pleased to recognize Union Gas as an outstanding Corporate Citizen."

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. For more information visit uniongas.com/community.

About Leadership Waterloo Region
Leadership Waterloo Region works to sustain and improve our community by developing stronger leaders and by connecting them with important community initiatives and a network of other leaders.

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

CONTACT:

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]

Leadership Waterloo Region
Anne Lavender
Executive Director
Ph:  519-742-7338
[email protected]
Twitter:  @LeadershipWR