Union Gas kick-starts Amazing Race with signature sponsorship

$7,000 donation to united way fundraiser supports local community agencies

CHATHAM, ON, July 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Union Gas gave the seventh annual Chatham-Kent Amazing Race a boost today, courtesy of a $7,000 signature sponsorship. The summer fundraising event, which pits teams of two in a day-long race across Chatham-Kent, has raised more than $600,000 over the past six years to fund local United Way agencies, programs and services.

"We are very proud to be a part of the Chatham-Kent Amazing Race for the seventh year running," said Steve Baker, president of Union Gas. "The vision for this event was created by a group of dedicated Union Gas employees and we are excited to support its continued success. We believe in giving back to the places where we live and work by supporting the good work of organizations like United Way, which helps thousands of people in our community every year."

Baker, along with Union Gas United Way committee chair Jim Hoffman and Mike Packer, an amazing team race member from Union Gas, presented the sponsorship cheque to Scott and Stacey Ewing, 2012 United Way Campaign co-chairs at the company's head office today.

Twenty-five teams are lined up to race in this year's event, which takes place on Saturday Aug. 18.  Participants will run, walk, drive and even swim throughout Chatham-Kent, deciphering clues that lead to challenges that will test their mental and physical strengths. The Union Gas sponsorship will go towards organizing the event, and every dollar raised will be directed to local programs, services and agencies supported by the United Way of Chatham-Kent's Community Fund.

In addition to continuing as signature sponsor, Union Gas has entered a corporate team in the race and will be matching its employees' pledges - including pledges in support of other teams.  Furthermore, eight Union Gas employees will be among the more than 100 volunteers who will help to ensure this year's event runs smoothly.

"We are very grateful for the ongoing support that our organization receives each year from Union Gas and its employees - through corporate support, employee contributions and sponsorship of special events," said Kirkwood-Whyte, United Way's executive director. "These charitable gifts ensure that one in three Chatham-Kent residents get the help they need from the numerous programs and services provided by United Way and its family of agencies."

The 2012 Amazing Race teams are featured at www.ckamazingrace.com or at www.uwock.ca. To find out how you can support this year's Chatham-Kent Amazing Race as a donor or as a sponsor and receive a receipt for your pledge, please contact Mary Hemming, steering committee chair, at [phone] or by email at [email protected], or the United Way's David Drouillard at [email protected] or by phone at [phone].

In addition to natural gas delivery services for homes and businesses, Union Gas has contributed to the province of Ontario 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 - $594,000 of that to the United Way of Chatham-Kent. For more information visit www.uniongas.com/community.

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. One of Canada's Top 100 Employers for 2012, 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.

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
[email protected]

United Way of Chatham-Kent 
David Drouillard, Director, Resource Development
Ph: 519-354-0430
[email protected]