Suncor Energy helps build stronger communities through the United Way

    Suncor employees, contractors and retirees invest $2.6 million and commit
    to hundreds of volunteer hours in local communities.

Suncor Energy and its employees, contractors and retirees in both Canada and the U.S. gave back to their local communities through financial and personal support to United Way organizations.

Collectively, team members contributed more than $1.8 million, including money raised through company-endorsed United Way events. With additional funds provided by the Suncor Energy Foundation and Suncor Energy U.S.A., Suncor's total investment is more than $2.6 million. Financial contributions will support many social service agencies including youth services, crisis intervention and services for economically challenged families.

"It's easy to give when times are good, but it demonstrates real care and commitment to give when times are tough," said Rick George, Suncor's president and chief executive officer. "The fact that so many Suncor employees, contractors and retirees are dedicated to keeping the community strong, by supporting the real and present needs of those less fortunate, really speaks volumes about the people who work at this company."

But it's the volunteers that made the campaign truly successful. This year, countless Suncor employees committed to hundreds of hours of volunteer initiatives including Day of Caring campaign initiatives throughout Canada. These programs provide Suncor employees with hands-on opportunities to help individuals and not for profit organizations throughout the community.

"For Suncor, encouraging our employees to volunteer for United Way initiatives really serves two purposes: it provides much needed manpower to organizations in the community that rely on volunteer support; and, it allows employees to work together to come up with creative solutions to solve community problems - a skill that translates well to our business," said George.

    Campaign Highlights:

    -  Suncor's Oil Sands facility in Fort McMurray raised close to
       $1.28 million, including $265,000 from the Suncor Energy Foundation,
       which will go to the 22 agencies and 38 programs supported by the
       United Way.

    -  Ten employees, contractors, co-op students and two family members
       climbed the 1,776 steps at the CN Tower Stair Climb for United Way,
       raising more than $13,000. With help from the Suncor Energy
       Foundation, Toronto's total contribution came to more than $250,000.

    -  Fifteen Sarnia employees helped the Canadian Red Cross with general
       maintenance and painting so the organization could concentrate their
       efforts and resources on direct client services. A parking spot
       auction, a 20 per cent increase in donors, and a Suncor Energy
       Foundation match of $50,000 brought Sarnia's total contribution to
       $124,000.

    -  Suncor Energy U.S.A. vice presidents Steve Douglas and John Gallagher
       donated an extra $8,300 each as part of the Make Your VP Pay
       initiative, a $25 contribution for every employee who donated $25 or
       more. Total Suncor contributions were roughly $295,000.

    -  More than 550 people in Calgary have committed to over 3,000 hours to
       Day of Caring events before the end of the year. This includes 45
       employees and contractors who volunteered their time at Easter Seal
       Camp Horizon near Bragg Creek, Alberta. During their Day of Caring,
       Suncor staff built fences, painted and landscaped. Calgary's total
       donations neared $660,000.

All figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Suncor Energy Inc. is an integrated energy company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. Suncor's oil sands business, located near Fort McMurray, Alberta, extracts and upgrades oil sands and markets refinery feedstock and diesel fuel, while operations throughout Western Canada produce natural gas. Suncor operates a refining and marketing business in Ontario with retail distribution under the Sunoco brand. U.S.A. downstream assets include pipeline and refining operations in Colorado and Wyoming and retail sales in the Denver area under the Phillips 66(R) brand. Suncor's common shares (symbol: SU) are listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges.

The Suncor Energy Foundation, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2008, is a private, non-profit charitable foundation established by Suncor to receive Suncor's contributions and support registered Canadian charitable organizations. Its funding priorities are educational, environmental and community-based initiatives that primarily support Suncor's operating communities. By the end of 2008, the Foundation will have contributed more than $57 million to Canadian communities.

SOURCE Suncor Energy Inc.

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