IMO Imperial Oil Limited

CALGARY, March 17 /CNW/ -- Companies' annual campaign surpasses $4-million for first time ever CALGARY, March 17 /CNW/ - Imperial Oil, in partnership with its employees and retirees, and ExxonMobil companies in Canada, contributed nearly $4.2 million to United Way-Centraide in 2010. Imperial Oil has been a loyal supporter of United Way-Centraide for more than 25 years. This marks the first time the companies' contribution has surpassed the $4 million mark. "United Way-Centraide brings communities together to provide hope and resources where the needs are greatest," said Bruce March, chairman, president and CEO of Imperial Oil. "Our remarkable campaign result in 2010 shows our employees and retirees have passion and commitment to the communities in which they live and work. We continue to proudly embrace this spirit." Imperial's 2010 United Way campaign was one of the most successful in company history on a variety of fronts. Funds raised topped the company's record-breaking 2009 campaign. Almost 1,000 employees and retirees across Canada participated as volunteers in Day of Caring activities, which benefited United Way-supported agencies across the country. Employees also took part in a variety of successful fundraising events, including bake sales, computer game competitions and talent shows. Included in the overall campaign donation is $170,000 raised from the limited-edition $25 Esso United Way Gift Card program. For every card sold at nearly 600 participating Esso retail sites in Canada, Imperial donated $2 to the United Way. The overall donation also included funds raised through the auctioning of an Arthur Lismer masterpiece, Dark Pool, Canadian Jungle, Georgian Bay, from Imperial Oil's corporate art collection. The oil-on-canvas rendering, signed and dated 1938, was purchased for $118,000, with proceeds from the sale going to the United Way of Calgary and Area. An additional noteworthy highlight is that several of Imperial's campaigns across the country were nominated for or received awards from their local United Way-Centraides. Imperial Oil is one of Canada's largest corporations and a leading member of the country's petroleum industry. It is one of the country's largest producers of crude oil and natural gas, Canada's largest petroleum refiner, a key petrochemical producer and a leading marketer with a coast-to-coast supply network that includes about 1,850 Esso service stations. For more information about Imperial's community investment activities, please visit www.imperialoil.ca ExxonMobil Canada is a leading developer and producer of oil and natural gas off Canada's East Coast. About United Way United Way is a national non-profit organization that works in partnership with others to create opportunities for a better life for everyone in our communities. With the generous support of Canadians, we help kids be all that they can be, build healthy people and strong communities and move people from poverty to possibility. To view this news release in HTML formatting, please use the following URL: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2011/17/c4015.html pJon Hardingbr/ Imperial Oil, Public Affairsbr/ (403) 237-2710/p

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