Union Gas Supports Leadership Windsor/Essex with $8,000 Grant

Helping Develop Outstanding Community Leadership

WINDSOR, ON, June 15, 2015 /CNW/ - Union Gas is helping Leadership Windsor/Essex (LWE) build and sustain a network of community leaders, through an $8,000 grant awarded today.

Sean Sutton, Union Gas utility services manager for Windsor/Chatham and member of the graduating class presented the cheque to LWE executive director Becky Parent at the 14th annual commencement ceremony at Willistead Manor.  Sutton spoke to 80 community leaders, 29 graduating from the Leadership Windsor/Essex Class of 2015 to begin their commitment to greater community stewardship, along with friends and family.

Union Gas has been a longtime supporter of Leadership Windsor/Essex and their support has assisted dozens of individuals from the not-for-profit sector participate in the program.  Together with their private and public sector colleagues, not-for-profit leaders bring a unique perspective to approaching the challenges that face Windsor/Essex.  Without them we would lose some very unique approaches to finding the solutions that our community needs to remain strong and vibrant.  The support of Union Gas ensures their participatory lens continues to be reflected in creating a shared community vision.

"At Union Gas, we believe that investing in education creates lasting benefits for people and communities," said Sutton. "We're thrilled to continue our support of Leadership Windsor/Essex, which is helping produce a succession of community leaders who understand Windsor/Essex and are prepared to roll up their sleeves to achieve a shared vision for its prosperity."

"We are very grateful for the continued support of Union Gas as integral to our work in creating positive and lasting community change," said Parent. "Our long-standing partnership has realized the creation of dozens of community leaders who have gone on to steward countless community boards and committees which are now equipped with the skills necessary to meet the future challenges of our community."

For over 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 Leadership Windsor/Essex
Established in 2001, Leadership Windsor/Essex promotes and encourages community leadership by developing the leadership capabilities of citizens who care about the community – those who understand its strengths and weaknesses and who are willing to make a personal investment to improve our community's quality of life. For more information, visit leadershipwindsor-essex.org or find us on Twitter: twitter.com/LeadershipWE and Facebook: facebook.com/leadershipwindsoressex.

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 $7 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 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]; Leadership Windsor/Essex, Becky Parent, Executive Director, Ph: 519-258-3033 ext. 1186, Cell: 519-995-8005, Fax: [phone], [email protected]