Consumers Energy Rewards Volunteering by Two Senior Citizens of the Year

Residents from Jackson and Detroit earn awards

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Jun 08, 2015, 11:15 ET

LANSING, Mich., June 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy has presented a $1,000 check to each of the two 2015 Michigan Senior Citizens of the Year.

The presentation took place on the Capitol lawn during Older Michiganians Day, which drew nearly 1,000 seniors June 2 to the Capitol from across Michigan. The energy provider is a longtime sponsor of the annual gathering.

"Consumers Energy is honored to share in celebrating Older Michiganians, among many who give of their time and energy for the benefit of their neighbors and friends," said Whitney Skeans, customer assistance manager for Consumers Energy. "By honoring two outstanding senior citizens of the year, we reinforce our shared belief that service is noble, wise, and absolutely imperative for the growth of our state and its citizens."

Jackson resident Joe Evans, 76, accepted the award in the category of Community Leadership at the Older Michiganians Day event on the Capitol lawn.

Evans was nominated by the Jackson County Advisory Council for his many years of volunteering in his community, including serving as a member of the Jackson County Advisory Council, for being a member of the Jackson County Traffic Safety Commission and volunteering at the Jackson Department on Aging.

Award recipient Julian Lauren, 67, from Detroit passed away a month before the Senior Citizens of the Year ceremony. Lauren was selected in the category of Service to Others, and was nominated by LeadingAge Michigan for tirelessly volunteering at the senior housing community where he lived, at his church and his community. More than 30 of his friends and neighbors attended the ceremony, shared a Gospel medley with the crowd and accepted the award on his behalf.

Consumers Energy is a Senior Citizen of the Year award partner. Each winner receives a plaque, congratulatory letter from Gov. Rick Snyder and a $1,000 check from Consumers Energy. Businesses, community service and faith-based organizations, associations, fraternal organizations and other public and private entities can make nominations for the award. Individuals 60 or older are eligible for nomination for uncompensated work performed in the community.

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.

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SOURCE Consumers Energy