Union Gas Supports FIRST Robotics Canada with $50,000 Grant

Eight Schools and Three Competitions across Ontario will receive Support

CHATHAM, ON, March 16, 2015 /CNW/ - For the third consecutive year, Union Gas, a Gold Level Sponsor of FIRST Robotics Canada, will support eight Ontario teams as well as three robotics competitions across the province through a $50,000 grant.  

FIRST Robotics Competition, run by FIRST Robotics Canada, is an annual competition where high school students team up with technology companies to build robots in high-intensity "robo-sports" competitions with the help of volunteer professional mentors.  Over six weeks, student teams raise funds, design a team brand, and build and program robots to perform specific tasks against competitors in regional events held in several provinces. FIRST Robotics Competitions combine the excitement of sport with the rigours of the STEM disciplines: science, technology, engineering and math.  Union Gas has also mentored several of the teams, with company employees volunteering to give direction and support.

For 2015, Union Gas will support the following teams:

• "Cougar Robotics" at Cardinal Carter High School in Leamington.
• "Raider Robotics" at H.B. Beal Secondary School in London.
• "Sir Lancer Bots" at Elmira District Secondary School in Elmira.
• "eNimkii" at Nbisiing Secondary School in North Bay.
• "C.K. Cyber Pack," community team in Chatham.
• "Northern Lights Robotics" at Timmins High and Vocational School in Timmins.
• W.A.F.F.L.E.S. Community Robotics community team in Kingston.
• "CN Robotics" at Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary School in Stoney Creek.

"During the planning stage, the building stage and the competitions, young participants form skills that will help make them the leaders of tomorrow," said Paul Rietdyk, ‎vice president of engineering, construction and storage and transmission operations for Union Gas. "We believe in young people, and support their curiosity, their imagination, their passion and drive."

"FIRST Robotics Canada is very pleased to be partnering with Union Gas at the Gold sponsorship level," said Mark Breadner, executive director from FIRST Robotics Canada. "This funding will greatly assist our mission of inspiring young people to pursue further studies and careers in the fields of science, technology and engineering."

For more than 100 years, Union Gas has been privileged to work in more than 400 Ontario communities. In addition to providing natural gas delivery services for homes and businesses, Union Gas has contributed to the province through economic investments, available jobs, municipal taxes, energy efficiency programs, volunteer hours, charitable giving and sponsorships. Last year alone, Union Gas contributed over $3.3 million to community and charitable organizations across Ontario, including more than $1,019,000 to United Way. In addition Union Gas employees, retirees, family and friends provided over 19,600 volunteer hours to help strengthen the communities where they live and work. For more information visit uniongas.com/community.

About FIRST Robotics Canada
FIRST Robotics Canada, a registered charity, was established in 2001 and incorporated in 2004 with a mission to inspire Canadian high school and elementary school students to pursue further studies and careers in science, technology and engineering. It pursues its mission primarily through offering opportunities for students, working in teams and assisted by expert adult mentors, to build robots and to take part in tournaments which feature on-field competitions, judged awards and other forms of recognition, potentially including university and college scholarships.  For more information, visit firstroboticscanada.org or find us on Twitter: twitter.com/CANFIRST, Facebook: Facebook.com/FIRSTRoboticCanada and YouTube: youtube.com/user/FIRSTRoboticsCanada.

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  for 2015, is a Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company with assets of $6.4 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

CONTACTS: Union Gas, 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]; FIRST Robotics Canada, Mark Breadner, Executive Director, Ph: 416 453-6844, [email protected]