PowerStream Donates $250,000 to Southlake Regional Health Centre

VAUGHAN, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Dec. 6, 2011) -

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As part of its ongoing commitment to give back to the communities it serves, PowerStream has donated $250,000 to Southlake Regional Health Centre in support of the enhanced medical services the hospital currently provides residents of York Region and Simcoe County, especially in the treatment of cancer.

Frank Scarpitti, PowerStream's Board Chair and the Town of Markham's Mayor; Maurizio Bevilacqua, PowerStream's Board Vice Chair and the City of Vaughan's Mayor along with Brian Bentz, PowerStream's President and CEO, in a ceremony held today at the company's head office in Vaughan, presented a cheque to Dr. Dave Williams, Southlake's President and CEO and Neila Poscente, President and CEO of the hospital's Foundation.

"With its many regional programs, Southlake Regional Health Centre serves patients from throughout York Region and Simcoe County," Dr. Williams explained. "The generous support we receive from community-minded companies like PowerStream enables us to provide the high quality of care that Southlake is known for and that our patients deserve."

Scarpitti agreed that Southlake Regional Health Centre's reputation as an outstanding medical facility, especially in the treatment of cancer, was a key factor in PowerStream's decision to provide this level of donation to the hospital.

"The outstanding facilities Southlake has for treating patients dealing with cancer provides the residents of communities served by PowerStream with an additional level of care that complements and works in tandem with the resources available at several other excellent hospitals in York Region and Simcoe County," Scarpitti said in reference to the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) that Southlake belongs to which also includes hospitals located in Markham, Richmond Hill and Alliston.

PowerStream's donation to Southlake Regional Health Centre is the latest example of the company's commitment to support hospitals and organizations that provide medical services to residents within the utility's service territory. Over the past five years, PowerStream has made several significant donations to local hospitals and related health care organizations such as Markham Stouffville Hospital and the Vaughan Health Care Foundation. The company has also sponsored numerous hospital fundraising events.

"Since PowerStream is a community-based electric utility that is owned by municipalities of Vaughan, Markham and Barrie, we recognize the importance of providing support to community- based institutions, especially those in the health care sector," Bentz added. "The donation to Southlake will ultimately benefit many of the customers that PowerStream serves."

About PowerStream

PowerStream is the second largest municipally-owned electricity distribution company in Ontario, providing service to more than 335,000 customers residing or owning a business 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 jointly owned by the City of Barrie, the City of Vaughan and the Town of Markham.

About Southlake Regional Health Centre

Southlake Regional Health Centre is a full-service hospital with a provincial mandate to deliver advanced diagnostic and treatment services within eight regional programs throughout York Region and as far north as Muskoka. With a track record for excellence and innovation, including world- first cardiac procedures, Southlake has earned a well-deserved reputation as a trail-blazer.

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