CALGARY, Sept. 9 /CNW/ - Close to 450 Esso sites across the country will be contributing one cent for every litre of gasoline sold on Saturday, September 10, 2005, to United Way organizations across Canada. Additional activities are planned for many participating sites, and at 15 key locations across Canada, Imperial Oil employees will volunteer their time to provide Esso customers with added services.

"By simply visiting your local Esso station this weekend and filling up your tank, you're helping out people in this community," says Brian Fischer, senior vice-president at Imperial Oil. "At Esso, we recognize the importance of United Way in our community and we're delighted to be able to extend our participation this year to our customers across the country. Last year's pilot program in the Greater Toronto Area raised more than $80,000."

"Each year, Imperial Oil is one of United Way's leading corporate donors," said Al Hatton, President and CEO, United Way of Canada-Centraide Canada." Since 2000, Imperial Oil has donated $12 million to United Ways across Canada. The money raised from this one-day campaign will go a long way to strengthening neighbourhoods and helping those in need from coast-to-coast in Canada."

Money generated from this initiative will be used to fund United Way agencies helping young children, youth, abused mothers and their children, the homeless, newcomers to Canada, and disabled people through a variety of programs and services.

As well, in a separate announcement made recently, Imperial Oil has stated that it will also be contributing $250,000 to support hurricane relief efforts in the U.S. gulf coast.

Imperial Oil has been a proud part of Canada for 125 years, contributing to communities from coast to coast since its inception in 1880. That tradition of giving remains integral to Imperial Oil and in 2004, the company contributed over $10 million to more than 500 organizations across Canada with an emphasis on youth, education, and important community services. For more information about Imperial's community investment activities, please visit www.imperialoil.ca

ATTENTION ASSIGNMENT & PHOTO EDITORS:
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Brian Fischer, senior vice-president of Imperial Oil, will be on-site and available for interviews at the Esso retail site at 1201 1st Street S.E in Calgary from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm local time.

Simon Smith, vice-president & general manager, Fuels Marketing, will be on-site and available for interviews at the Esso retail site at the corner of Yonge and Steeles in Toronto from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm local time.

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