Consumers Energy Employees Help Michigan Residents This Winter by Taking Part in More than 30 Walks for Warmth

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Feb 16, 2015, 06:00 ET

JACKSON, Mich., Feb. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy employees are encouraging the public to join them in Walks for Warmth across the state this winter, which will help Michigan families stay warm.

Consumers Energy is making a commitment to helping people heat their homes by matching every dollar that employees, family and friends raise through more than 30 Walk for Warmth events statewide.

Last year, the company and employees raised more than $300,000 that was provided to Michigan households through the state's Community Action Agency network.

"Every dollar we raise will go toward helping our most vulnerable customers, including those who are elderly and disabled, and those who can't afford to pay their heating bills," said Patti Poppe, Consumers Energy's vice president of customer experience, rates and regulation. "Together, our steps can help ensure that our neighbors have resources to stay warm in a time of need."

Community Action Agencies statewide organize local Walk for Warmth events. The money that participants raise will provide energy assistance for Michigan residents – a priority for Consumers Energy, especially in winter.

Hundreds of Consumers Energy employees will take part Friday in the Walk for Warmth event in Jackson, which will start inside the company's headquarters and extend through downtown. Registration will start at 11 a.m., with the walk to follow at noon.

Many more employees will bolster Walk for Warmth events the rest of the month at 24 locations throughout Michigan, including Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Saginaw. All Walk for Warmth events are open to the public.

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.

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

Media toolkit

MORE INFO: Learn more about upcoming Walks for Warmth: www.ConsumersEnergy.com/walkforwarmth

PROVIDING HELP: Consumers Energy is providing $9 million this winter to help Michigan families stay warm: www.consumersenergy.com/News.aspx?id=7760&year=2015

SOURCE Consumers Energy