VAUGHAN, Ontario, Jan. 18, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As a result of successfully achieving community engagement in its 2012 United Way campaign through an annual charity golf tournament, PowerStream was presented with the "Community Campaign Spirit Award" by the United Way York Region at the organization's "Your 2012 Celebration" awards event held Thursday night at the Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts.

The 'Community Campaign Spirit Award" is presented each year by the United Way York Region to companies that go "above and beyond by engaging the public community in their United Way York Region campaign". In 2012, funds generated by PowerStream's Annual Charity Golf Tournament contributed more than $90,000 towards the $169,000 total the company donated to the United Way.

PowerStream was also nominated for a "York Region Community Spirit Award" in the category for organizations with more than 300 employees. This award is presented "to the organization that achieved the largest contribution to United Way York Region's Community Fund".

The United Way York Region's annual awards event recognizes volunteers and employees from companies and organizations for their support and dedication to its annual campaign. The 2012 campaign saw a record of $8,271,000 raised for the United Way York Region, which exceeded the target set by the organization.

QUOTES

• "We are committed to giving back to the communities we serve," commented Frank Scarpitti, PowerStream Board Chair and Mayor of the City of Markham. "Our involvement in the United Way campaign is just one way we demonstrate this. Using our annual golf tournament to facilitate community engagement in our campaign provides us with an additional means of raising funds for this worthy cause."

BACKGROUND

• PowerStream raises funds for the United Way each year through various employee engagement initiatives. Following the launch of the campaign with the holding of PowerStream's Annual Charity Golf Tournament in September, other funds are raised through payroll deductions, weekly "Jean Days", an internal silent auction, 50/50 draws and a corporate matching donation.
• PowerStream also supports other community organization and events through a comprehensive sponsorship and donations program. Employees are actively involved in fundraising for other charities including Princess Margaret Hospital's "Ride to Conquer Cancer" and the Heart & Stroke Foundation's "Big Bike" event.

ABOUT POWERSTREAM

PowerStream is a community-owned energy solutions company providing power and related services to more than 355,000 customers residing or owning a business in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario. It is jointly owned by the Cities of Barrie, Markham and Vaughan.

ABOUT THE UNITED WAY YORK REGION

The United Way York Region is a registered charity that has been working diligently to connect people and resources to improve the community for over 30 years. Targeting community priorities, United Way along with their partners support more than 100 programs across York's nine municipalities.
 
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CATEGORIES – Community

KEYWORDS – United Way, PowerStream, Awards, York Region, Donation, Charity

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Eric Fagen, Director, Corporate Communications
Media Line (24/7): 905-532-4400	                    
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Website: www.PowerStream.ca