Union Gas helps CBHC inspire student's interest in science

$2,500 grant for flight-themed educational programs in Sault Ste. Marie

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON, May 16, 2014 /CNW/ - Union Gas is helping the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre (CBHC), offer flight-themed educational programs to Sault Ste. Marie area students courtesy of a $2,500 grant awarded today. The curriculum-based programs incorporate science, math and technology to spark student's imagination and interest.

Don Van Daele, Union Gas utility service manager, presented the cheque to Sault Ste. Marie mayor, Debbie Amoroso and Mike Delfre, executive director of the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, today at the centre in Sault Ste. Marie. The presentation took place as part of the Annual General Meeting of the CBHC where volunteers, partners and supporters were recognized for their support. 2014 marks the 25^th anniversary of the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.

"We believe supporting education is key to building a skilled workforce for the future, and key to creating economic opportunity for individuals and for communities," said Van Daele.  "We're proud to be partnering with the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre to help them offer programs, which will help Sault Ste. Marie area young people learn and grow."

The CBHC is committed to offering quality education to local and regional schools in the classroom and at its public museum. The museum is unique in that it is 100 per cent interactive, with a strong focus on science - specifically the science of flight. Between 2,500 and 3,000 students from Kindergarten to grade 8, participate in the CBHC's presentations every year. Many of the volunteers who lead school tours are retired teachers.

"We appreciate the support from Union Gas which enables us to operate the centre and offer education programs to children and youth," stated Delfre. "We know that many pilots who have enjoyed successful careers in aviation got their inspiration to fly here at the centre."

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 Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre
The CGHC has world-class aviation and water bombing exhibits and education programs with many innovative, interactive displays, theatre presentations and curriculum-based educational programming. The CBHC's mandate is to collect, preserve, restore, interpret and present Sault Ste. Marie and Ontario's forest management and ecological heritage through exhibits as well as educational and community programming. For more information, visit bushplane.com.

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

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]

Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre
Michael Delfre
Executive Director
Ph:  705-945-6242 ext. 201
[email protected]