1.21.2004 ET

(CSRwire) Toronto - Imperial Oil is pleased to announce that the company, in partnership with its employees and retirees, contributed more than $2.5 million to the 2003 United Way/Centraide campaigns across Canada. The total contribution increased by over $100,000 from $2.4 million in 2002.

"The generosity and support demonstrated by our employees and retirees this year was extraordinary with contributions of over $1.6 million. The corporation donated just over $951,000 making this a banner year for our campaign," said Barbara Hejduk, Imperial Oil Foundation president. "Imperial Oil has a long history of contributing to United Way and we know that United Way agencies provide very important services to people in need in communities across Canada. We're delighted to be a part of that spirit of giving."

In conjunction with the campaign, Imperial Oil employees participated in United Way Days of Caring activities across Canada. More than 700 employees and retirees volunteered for a day at over 30 charitable organizations across the country, such as the Salvation Army Children's Village in Calgary where participants embarked on a Spring clean-up of the 5 1/2 acre site. The Children's Village is a treatment centre that provides structured therapeutic and educational services to special needs children and their families. In Toronto, employees provided hands-on support to a number of programs including the Anishnawbe Health Toronto Street Patrols program, where they prepared food items to be distributed by van to homeless people living on the city's streets.

"Year after year, Imperial employees and management continuously demonstrate exceptional leadership, generosity and positive energy in their campaigns," said Gordon Shand, Fundraising Manager, United Way of Greater Toronto, where Imperial's head office is located. "We very much appreciate their ongoing and enthusiastic commitment to community. These funds will help find solutions to community problems in neighbourhoods across Canada and will support hundreds of thousands of people in need."

United Way/Centraide is a non-profit organization located in 126 communities across the country. Each United Way works locally to find solutions to community problems by mobilizing volunteers, identifying community needs and raising and distributing funds. The money raised this year will help children and youth, senior citizens in need, families and abused women, disabled and homeless people as well as newcomers to Canada.

Imperial Oil is committed to supporting community programs in communities where its employees live and work. In 2003, the Imperial Oil Foundation provided almost $6.1 million in support to more than 400 non-profit organizations across Canada.

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