Union Gas helps develop future community leaders in Waterloo region

$5,000 grant to Leadership Waterloo Region

KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON, Nov. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - Union Gas is supporting the development of local community leaders through a $5,000 grant to Leadership Waterloo Region for their Core Program, awarded today.

Jennifer Burnham, Union Gas plant damage prevention manager and Yvonne Huang, Union Gas construction project manager presented the cheque to Leadership Waterloo Region's executive director Anne Lavender.

"At Union Gas we are committed to being active members in the communities we serve and to working with our community partners to change the living conditions of individuals and families for the better," said Burnham. "That's why we're so pleased to support Leadership Waterloo Region and the work they do to improve the quality of life for citizens in this community."

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 300+ alumni are heavily involved on more than 300 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 help 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."

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 has a clear set of best practices regarding the environment and actively encourages and promotes those practices via community groups throughout its distribution area. 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 about $3 million to charitable organizations across the province, including environmental programs and projects. For more information visit uniongas.com/community.

About Leadership Waterloo Region
Leadership Waterloo Region is a social-profit organization that delivers educational leadership experiences to a diverse range of individuals in the community who wish to take on roles as community leaders through collaborations with like-minded organizations in Waterloo Region.

About Union Gas
Union Gas Limited is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with more than 100 years of experience and service to customers. The distribution business serves about 1.4 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in more than 400 communities across northern, southwestern and eastern Ontario. One of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, Union Gas is a Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company, with assets of $5.8 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. 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

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
[email protected]