Consumers Energy Employees Give Back to Communities, Present $5,000 Grant to Jackson, Lansing United Ways

'Ethics in Action' Grants Help Support Nonprofits Across Michigan

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Dec 04, 2015, 10:20 ET

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Dec. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy employees today presented a $5,000 contribution from the company's foundation to two United Way agencies, one of several grants that employees are sharing with Michigan nonprofit organizations to celebrate ethics awards they have received.

Employees at the company's Bellevue facility in Eaton County earned the opportunity to select a local nonprofit organization to receive a grant by winning the grand prize in Consumers Energy's companywide Ethics in Action awards. The awards recognize employees who display the highest commitment to compliance and ethical standards.

Employees presented $2,500 apiece to the Capital Area United Way and the United Way of Jackson County at a ceremony in Battle Creek.

"Giving back is a major component of what it means to be a highly ethical company," said David Mengebier, Consumers Energy's senior vice president and chief compliance officer, and president of the Consumers Energy Foundation. "That's why this connection between our internal dedication to compliance and ethics with our external philanthropic efforts is so unique and meaningful."

Consumers Energy and its employees have been strong supporters of United Way campaigns for many years. This fall, the company, its employees and retirees pledged over $1.7 million to 56 United Ways across the state.

About 90 Consumers Energy employees work in Bellevue, a logistics hub for natural gas pipeline construction that also serves as a staging area for equipment and materials.

In addition, Consumers Energy honored employees at its corporate headquarters at One Energy Plaza and the Commonwealth Commerce Center, both in Jackson, as Ethics in Action awards finalists. Both selected local nonprofits to receive $1,000 grants.

Also recognized were eight individual employees, who selected local nonprofits to receive $250 grants. The employees are based at Consumers Energy facilities in Grand Rapids, Ottawa County, Midland, Jackson, Saginaw and Livonia.

"For Consumers Energy, this is a fitting way to recognize deserving employees because it allows them to choose a cause that's close to home and see firsthand how we make a positive difference," Mengebier 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.

Giving Back

Consumers Energy's Ethics in Action Award winners selected nonprofit organizations to receive grants:

Bellevue ($5,000)
Capital Area United Way and United Way of Jackson County

One Energy Plaza ($1,000)
Jackson Interfaith Shelter

Commonwealth Commerce Center ($1,000)
Youth Haven Ranch

Individual employees ($250 each):

Beverly Bacon (Grand Rapids)
Kids Food Basket

Dana Franklin (Grand Rapids)
Sasha Farm

Rayden Galloway (Midland)
Birch Run Taymouth Parents for Youth Association

Julie Hegedus (Livonia)
Arno Elementary School

Chris Kuchar (Saginaw)
Pine River School

Scott Tucker (Ottawa County)
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital