Batter Up! Consumers Energy, Habitat for Humanity Raise Funds with Home Run for Habitat Campaign

Building on Commitment to Energy-Efficient Homes Across Michigan

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May 12, 2015, 06:00 ET

JACKSON, Mich., May 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy is contributing $150,000 to match the public's contributions to this year's Home Run for Habitat fundraising campaign in Michigan, building on a relationship to provide energy-efficient housing in communities across the state.

"Housing is a vital need in the communities we serve, and we're proud to help Habitat for Humanity of Michigan in its mission to build affordable and energy-efficient homes," said Garrick Rochow, Consumers Energy's vice president and chief customer officer. "We recently were recognized as Habitat's Sponsor of the Year, and we're committed to building on that relationship with the Home Run for Habitat campaign."

"The Home Run for Habitat campaign has made our impact go further in so many communities across the state. We are honored by Consumers Energy's continued commitment to our work, and strive to produce bigger and better results from their support," said Sandy Pearson, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Michigan. "Energy efficiency is a standard for the homes we're building here in Michigan. We believe we're paving the way for green building standards in the housing industry."

Consumers Energy is matching dollars that the public donates to the Home Run for Habitat campaign during this Detroit Tigers season. Contributions support Habitat's statewide ReBuild Michigan campaign, which funds work in nearly every county.

Consumers Energy has provided $800,000 in contributions to Habitat for Humanity of Michigan since 2001. The relationship between the two organizations goes beyond dollars.

In the last two years, Consumers Energy's Helping Neighbors program has provided energy efficiency upgrades to more than 200 residents of Habitat legacy homes in the Great Lakes Bay region. More than 1,000 energy efficiency measures have been installed to increase energy efficiency, including attic insulation, CFL and LED bulbs, and more. These upgrades keep families safe and also lessen the financial cost of home ownership.

The Consumers Energy Foundation also is pledging its support to Habitat for Humanity of Michigan with a new $200,000 commitment to its Neighborhood Revitalization initiative. This effort seeks to increase the number of families living in safe, decent, affordable housing, create additional volunteer opportunities, foster engagement with current and potential sponsors, and develop cooperative relationships within the community.

"Every day, we see the impact that Habitat for Humanity makes on communities and lives across our state, and we are honored to play a role in supporting Habitat's mission. Home by home, we know we can build a brighter future for families and for our entire state," Rochow said.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

Habitat for Humanity believes that every man, woman and child should have a safe, decent and affordable home. To make this possible, Habitat for Humanity of Michigan partners with the Habitat for Humanity affiliates throughout the state to assist them to reach their maximum sustainable capacity within their individual communities by supporting the further development of their leadership, procedures and resources.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.

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LEARN MORE: Learn more about, and donate to, Home Run for Habitat: www.homerunforhabitat.org

HELPING NEIGHBORS: Learn more about Consumers Energy's Helping Neighbors program: www.consumershelpingneighbors.com

SOURCE Consumers Energy