Union Gas helps kids in Timmins learn the importance of water

$1,000 grant to Wintergreen Fund for Conservation to support the Timmins Children's Water Festival

TIMMINS, ON, July 9, 2012 /CNW/ - Union Gas is helping young children learn about the importance of water and the need to conserve and protect this valuable resource courtesy of a $1,000 grant awarded today. The grant will assist the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority host the Timmins Children's Water Festival, through the Wintergreen Fund for Conservation.

Ian Ross, Union Gas district manager for Northwest Ontario, presented the cheque to Michael Doody, Wintergreen chairman, at the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority offices in Timmins. Kees Pols, the conservation authority's general manager, was also on hand for the presentation.

"At Union Gas, we believe in investing today to ensure a bright tomorrow," says Ross. "That means supporting environmental conservation and important ecological programs in the communities we serve. We are very pleased to continue our support of the Wintergreen Fund for Conservation, which helps make this community an even better place to live and work."

The Timmins Children's Water Festival has been organized to teach students from grades 2-4 how water plays a role in our daily lives. The day is structured around the students' participation at over 25 different interactive activity centres, where the hands-on focus is on water conservation, water protection, water science, water technology, and water attitude.

"The Wintergreen Fund is very grateful to Union Gas for coming on board as a funding partner and making this community project such a great success," says Doody.

Over the past 100 years, Union Gas has been privileged to work in more than 400 Ontario communities. In addition to natural gas delivery services for homes and businesses, Union Gas has contributed to the province through significant economic investments, hundreds of jobs, millions in municipal taxes, energy efficiency programs, thousands of volunteer hours for community organizations, major charitable giving and sponsorships. Last year alone, Union Gas contributed $3 million to charitable organizations across Ontario, including more than $900,000 to United Way. For more information, visit uniongas.com/community.

About Wintergreen Fund for Conservation
The Wintergreen Fund is a group of local citizens that has a keen interest in conservation and in the protection of the environment. Wintergreen raises funds to support projects and programs that promote community conservation and enhance the local environment.

About Union Gas
Union Gas Limited is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with 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. Union Gas, named one of Canada's Top 100 Employers and one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2012, is a Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company with assets of $5.8 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. For more information, visit uniongas.com.

Union Gas Limited 
Andrea Stass
Manager, External Communications and Media Relations
Ph: 519 436-5490 or 1-800-571-8446 ext. 5490
Cell: 519 365-1010
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]

Mattagami Region Conservation Authority
Kees Pols, General Manager
100 Lakeshore Road, Timmins, Ontario
P4N 8R5
Ph:  705-360-2660
Fax:  [phone]
[email protected]