VAUGHAN, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 20, 2012) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

An outstanding 2012 employee campaign was acknowledged as being a key contributing factor in PowerStream being able to provide a record-setting donation this year of $169,004 to be shared by the United Way of York Region and the United Way of Greater Simcoe County.

At a ceremony held recently at PowerStream's head office in Vaughan, several company officials including Frank Scarpitti, Board Chair and Mayor of the City of Markham; Maurizio Bevilacqua, Board Vice Chair and Mayor of the City of Vaughan, as well as Brian Bentz, President and CEO, presented a cheque to a number of representatives from both United Way organizations including Daniele Zanotti, CEO for York Region and Rosslyn Junke, Campaign Manager for Greater Simcoe County.

This latest campaign donation is the largest ever made by the utility to the United Way. The previous highest total of $156,852 was achieved in 2011. Since 2004, PowerStream and its predecessor utilities have donated more than $900,000 to the United Way.

QUOTES

• "PowerStream employees have once again demonstrated a tremendous understanding of what it means to give back to the communities in which most of them live, work and play," commented Mayor Scarpitti. "The record-setting amount of funds they were able to raise through this year's United Way Campaign, as well as their ongoing involvement in charitable activities, illustrates the quality of people that we have working in the company."
  
  
• "Our company continues to be a leader in corporate social responsibility," added Bentz. "We understand and appreciate the importance of providing a helping hand to those who are less fortunate, improving their quality of life and giving them hope for the future. Supporting the United Way through our annual employee campaign is one of the ways we are able to achieve this."
  
  

BACKGROUND

• PowerStream's United Way campaign kicks off each year with the company's annual charity golf tournament in September. In 2012, the tournament alone generated over $90,000 for the campaign. Other funds were raised through payroll deductions, weekly "Jean Days", an internal silent auction, 50/50 draws and corporate matching. Participation by PowerStream employees in other annual charitable activities includes the Heart & Stroke Foundation's Big Bike and Princess Margaret Hospital's Ride to Conquer Cancer.

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 OF YORK REGION

Established in 1976, United Way of York Region is a registered charity uniting people and resources to improve our communities. United Way identifies community priorities and works with partners to take action, supporting a network of 100 critical programs across the region's nine municipalities.

ABOUT THE UNITED WAY OF GREATER SIMCOE COUNTY

United Way is one of the largest non-government sources of social service funding in Simcoe County. Over 80% of funds donated to United Way of Greater Simcoe County are raised in the workplace, most through payroll deduction programs. More than 150 employers in Simcoe County support their community through United Way.

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