Bruce Power pledges $1.6-million over three years to United Way of Bruce-Grey

The United Way of Bruce-Grey has received a three-year pledge of $1.6-million from Bruce Power’s United Way campaign, allowing the organization to double its utility assistance program and enhance food security efforts for families and individuals struggling in the region. 

The Bruce Power campaign will formally commence in late March, including employees, unions, suppliers and the company, itself.
 
“The timing of this news couldn’t be better for the United Way and the people we serve," said executive director Francesca Dobbyn. "Bruce Power recognizes that there is increased pressure on our services, such as the utility assistance program, and has shown leadership and stepped up to the plate with confidence that the company could mobilize its entire site to deliver this commitment.

“The Bruce Power campaign has been a long-time supporter of United Way and we recognize that the company provides one of the lowest cost sources of electricity in Ontario, and it also recognizes that it has an important role to play in our community for those struggling with their bills."
 
Organizers of the Bruce Power campaign, co-chaired by the company, along with the Power Workers’ Union and the Society of Energy Professionals, recognized that it was important to provide the United Way with an ongoing commitment that the agency could count on in order to double its utility assistance program for the next three years while long-term solutions to energy poverty could be sourced.
 
“Bruce Power and its employees, unions and suppliers, are very proud of the role we play providing low-cost power to Ontario families and businesses," said Mike Rencheck, president and chief executive officer. "In 2016, we generated 30 per cent of Ontario’s electricity at 30 per cent below the average price. While we are very proud of this and communicate this message across Ontario, we recognize that there is more to the energy system than Bruce Power. As part of this community, there is more we can do together, and providing this commitment now to double the utility assistance program is the right thing to do."
 
The Bruce Power campaign will launch in late March and the team has committed to an increase in proceeds from the campaign to provide the United Way funding stability for its programs.

“From our perspective, we wanted the United Way to know what it can count on from us to do its important work, and the Bruce Power United Way campaign will deliver on the fund-raising,” said Larry Alderdice of the Power Workers’ Union. “We recognize that if everyone got their electricity from the Bruce Power site, the cost of electricity would be much less but that’s not the world we operate in, and we all have to step up and help where we can.”
 
The funds will be raised through an expansion of employee proceeds and other fund-raising efforts among Bruce Power, unions and dozens of suppliers at the facility.

“Although those of us at Bruce Power can share with our friends and neighbours the facts about the cost of our electricity compared to others and that there are lots of items that make up an electricity bill, it doesn’t change the fact that we can always step up and help those who are struggling,” said Mike Gade, local vice-president of the Society of Energy Professionals. “Doubling the utility assistance program and supporting the expansion of food security programs will make a difference and the United Way can count on us to deliver the funds to support its important work."
 
Bruce Power has been a long-time supporter of the United Way, and the company and its employees have donated more than $3-million to the United Way of Bruce-Grey since 2001. Plans have been under way since September to enhance the Bruce Power campaign and to provide an increased focus on the utility assistance program and food security.