Union Gas helps JA build future Business Leaders in Waterloo

$4,000 grant to Junior Achievement of Waterloo Region

WATERLOO, ON, Nov. 15, 2013 /CNW/ - Union Gas is helping Junior Achievement in the Waterloo Region build future entrepreneurs and business leaders courtesy of a $4,000 grant awarded today.

Murray Costello, Union Gas district manager for Waterloo/Brantford and John Loncar, Union Gas national account manager, institutional, commercial industrial sales, presented the cheque to Aubrey Walters, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Waterloo Region. Paul Bowman's class at St. Nicolas Catholic School in Waterloo also joined in the event.

John Loncar has been visiting Mr. Bowman's grade six class once a week for five weeks delivering the "A Business of Our Own" program. This program transforms the classroom into a retail business. From product/service brainstorming to production, marketing and financial record keeping, the students do it all. By experiencing the trials and tribulations of owning and operating their very own business students learn how a business functions, important financial literacy skills and are introduced to various career opportunities in the business world.

"Our youth are our greatest resource, and we believe that investing in their future is an investment worth making," said Costello. "We're proud to continue our support of Junior Achievement's education programs, which inspire and educate Waterloo Region youth to be our future leaders."

"We are incredibly fortunate to have Union Gas as a community partner," stated Walters. "Union Gas not only provides the necessary funding for our programs but volunteer resources as well. Having John share his career experience while mentoring the students with their own enterprise helps inspire them to pursue their own career aspirations."

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 Junior Achievement of Waterloo Region Inc.
Junior Achievement of Waterloo Region is a charitable organization which provides classroom programs encouraging students to stay in school, stay out of debt and to discover their potential as business and community leaders. For more information visit jawaterlooregion.com or join in the conversation on Twitter: JAWatRegion, Facebook: facebook.com/JAWaterlooRegion and YouTube: youtube.com/user/JAWaterlooRegion.

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 or find us on Twitter: twitter.com/uniongas, Facebook: facebook.com/uniongas and YouTube: youtube.com/user/uniongas.

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
[email protected]

Junior Achievement of Waterloo Region Inc.
Aubrey Walters
President & CEO
Ph: 519 576-6610 ext 301
[email protected]