PowerStream donates more than $130,000 to the United Way

Successful employee campaign sees total contribution increase for fifth consecutive year

VAUGHAN, ON – Following another successful employee campaign, PowerStream, the electricity distribution company which provides service to over 320,000 residential and business customers who reside in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario, made a donation today to the United Way of more than $130,000, an increase of almost 9.5 per cent from the previous year.

In an official ceremony held at the utility’s head office, several PowerStream officials, including Brian Bentz, President and CEO; Dennis Nolan, Executive Vice President Corporate Services, who also served as employee campaign co-chair and Bill Schmidt, Vice President of Information Services and campaign cochair, presented a cheque to Rickesh Lakhani, Campaign Director for the United Way of York Region and Dennis Terry, Director of Investor Relations and Resource Development for the United Way of Greater Simcoe County.

The funds donated by PowerStream will be shared between the United Way of York Region and the United Way of Greater Simcoe County. “In a year when the economic conditions have resulted in so many more individuals and families in our society requiring the support of others, I am proud of what our company’s employees, management and Board of Directors have been able to achieve in this year’s campaign,” Peter Meffe, Chair of PowerStream’s Board of Directors said pointing out that the total amount raised in this year’s campaign was an increase of more than $11,000 from the previous year.

“It’s another example of our ongoing efforts to make a positive difference within the communities we serve,” he added. The 2009 PowerStream campaign themed “The Choice is Yours”, was certainly understood by all those working for the company. The PowerStream contribution this year was achieved through a combination of an internal employee payroll deduction drive that brought in $17,534, along with employee-run external events and a corporate donation, which provided $74,063, and $39,305 respectively to the total.

“Once again our company and employees have responded to the challenge of giving to others when the need is great,” Bentz added. “This is a testament to why we continue to be a character business with character employees.” In accepting the donation on behalf of the United Way, both Lakhani and Terry commended PowerStream for its tremendous work though the years in providing support to residents within the utility’s service territory. Over the past six years, the company and its employees (including the former Barrie Hydro) have donated, more than $450,000 to United Way organizations in York Region and Greater Simcoe County.

About PowerStream PowerStream is the second largest municipally-owned electricity distribution company in Ontario, providing service to more than 320,000 residential and business customers who reside in communities located immediately north of Toronto and in Central Ontario. The communities served include Alliston, Aurora, Barrie, Beeton, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Markham, Penetanguishene, Richmond Hill, Thornton, Tottenham and Vaughan. PowerStream is an incorporated entity, jointly owned by the City of Barrie, the City of Vaughan and the Town of Markham.

About the United Way of York Region United Way of York Region supports 100 programs delivered by 39 member agencies in the Region focusing on five priority areas: • Supporting those who have mental health challenges; • Providing services for newcomers and immigrants; • Preventing domestic violence and abuse; • Addressing issues of affordable housing and homelessness; and • Promoting literacy. About the United Way of Greater Simcoe County For the past 50 years, the United Way of Greater Simcoe County has been providing funding to enable communities to become stronger, more caring and healthier neighbourhoods. Through its 22 member agencies, one in three people living in Greater Simcoe County are being touched by United Way funded programs.