Nicor Gas Employees Give Back to Local Communities by Volunteering at 18 Non-Profit Organizations During 12th Annual Volunteer Day

Published 05-22-08

Submitted by NICOR Inc.

BURR RIDGE "“ May 22, 2008 - Nicor Gas employees, families, and friends supported the company's commitment to volunteerism by giving back to local communities during the 12th annual celebration of Nicor's Volunteer Day. Along with community members, hundreds of Nicor employees aided 17 northern Illinois communities by completing 18 service projects for local non-profit organizations.

"Nicor Volunteer Day is an opportunity for our company to give back to the areas we serve," said Russ Strobel, Chairman, President and CEO for Nicor, Inc. and Nicor Gas. "Community service plays an integral role in shaping our corporate values, and Nicor is proud to embrace the spirit of volunteerism by sharing time, talent, and financial resources to benefit local non-profit organizations on Volunteer Day and throughout the year."

This year, Nicor highlighted a special Volunteer Day project to benefit the Anna Emery Hanson Center in Burr Ridge. Over 150 Nicor volunteers joined Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso and Dr. Tim Andriano, Director of the Hanson Center, to beautify the outdoor spaces of the Center. In addition, the Hanson Center received a $10,000 grant from Nicor to help make the organization more energy efficient. The grant will pay for Nicor Services to Aeroseal the organization’s duct work, closing up to 90% of duct leaks while delivering greater comfort, cost savings, and cleaner air.

Tom Kallay, Community Relations Director for Nicor, said, "We're excited to improve upon the Hanson Center's fencing this year because it symbolizes a fresh start for the spring season. It is rewarding to know that we were able to help keep the area looking good for so many in the community who enjoy this Center."

Volunteer Day at Nicor is an annual celebration of the company's year-round commitment to the communities it serves. In 2007, the company contributed more than $1.8 million "“ and thousands of volunteer hours "“ to 1,200 organizations in communities throughout northern Illinois.

Nicor's 12th Annual Volunteer Day involved 18 sites in 17 communities across Illinois (starting on May 2, volunteers helped Carthage with a landscape renovation at the World of Wonder Park). Activities included:

Outdoor cleanup and landscaping took place at senior citizen homes and the Ford Heights Community Service Organization in Ford Heights and at the Seguin Services residential facilities in Bellwood.

Volunteers performed repair work and a variety of indoor and outdoor spring cleaning projects at the Lions Hall in Coal City, the Lamb’s Fold Center in Joliet and the Marcfirst Center in Bloomington.

Volunteers sorted food collected at Loaves and Fishes in Aurora, Rock River Food Pantry in Rockford and the Northern Illinois Food Bank in St. Charles.

New gardening and landscaping spruced up Hearthstone Manor in Woodstock, the Village Hall in Worth and a Senior Home Sharing residence in Naperville.

Local waterways and parks also benefited as volunteers performed cleanup at Lake Katherine in Palos Heights, the Lucas-Berg Reservoir in Worth and at MLK Lake in Bloomington.

Volunteers, many with young children, completed a craft project at the Brookfield Zoo.

To help residents save money and "go green," energy-efficiency kits were given to 35 senior citizens’ homes in Wilmington. Volunteers also completed outdoor beautification projects at the sites.

In Watseka, volunteers partnered with the Iroquois County American Red Cross to assist families affected by winter floods with indoor and outdoor clean-up activities.

At the Hanson Center in Burr Ridge volunteers added a fresh coat of stain to the fences that surround the Center.

Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) is a holding company and is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. Its primary business is Nicor Gas, one of the nation's largest natural gas distribution companies. Nicor owns Tropical Shipping, a containerized shipping business serving the Caribbean region and the Bahamas. In addition, the company owns and has equity interest in several energy-related businesses. For more information, visit the Nicor Web site at www.nicor.com.

Nicor Gas is one of the nation's largest gas distribution companies. Owned by Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) a holding company, Nicor Gas has provided safe and reliable natural gas services for more than 50 years. The Company serves more than 2.1 million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit the Nicor Web site at www.nicorgas.com.

NICOR Inc.

Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) is a holding company and is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. Its primary business is Nicor Gas, one of the nation's largest natural gas distribution companies. Nicor owns Tropical Shipping, a containerized shipping business serving the Caribbean region and the Bahamas. In addition, the company owns and has an equity interest in several energy-related businesses.

Nicor Gas Employees Give Back to Local Communities by Volunteering at 18 Non-Profit Organizations During 12th Annual Volunteer Day

Nicor Gas Employees Give Back to Local Communities by Volunteering at 18 Non-Profit Organizations During 12th Annual Volunteer Day

NICOR Inc.

NICOR Inc.

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