Consumers Energy Gives Away $1,775 to Local Charities

The Consumers Energy Foundation has awarded $1,775 in volunteer grants to four Oakland County organizations to recognize outstanding volunteerism by two employees and two retirees.

The Volunteer Investment Program grants recognize:

• Nancie Munselle, senior employee development lead at Flint service center, who performed 250 hours of volunteer service over the past year with the Troy Women’s Charitable Association. She served as president, vice president, director, ES chair, committee chair and newsletter editor. A $325 grant will be used to support women and children’s charities.
• Cheryl M. Lantinga, retiree, who performed 42 hours of volunteer service over the past year to the Beaumont William Hospital. She assisted with the gift shop. A $250 grant will be used to enhance patient services.
• Paul Preketes, retiree, who performed 150 of volunteer service over the past 12 months with Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester Hills. He was lead of the strategy team and represented the organization at charity events. A $600* grant will be used to train guide dogs.
• James Lhamon Jr., a general plant machinist at the J.R. Whiting Generating Complex, who performed 180 hours of volunteer service at the Civil Air Patrol Mustang Cadet Squadron in New Hudson. He was a safety officer and cadet programs testing officer. A $600* grant will be used to support cadet programs and training.

Grants marked with an (*) reflect a doubled amount through the Consumers Energy Foundation’s CEEPSACER Program. CEEPSACER (Consumers Energy Employees Providing Service Around Children’s Essential Resources) was established as part of Consumers Energy’s commitment to America’s Promise-The Alliance for Youth.  America’s Promise works to provide every young person with the Five Promises so they will have a better chance to succeed in life.

The Consumers Energy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Consumers Energy.  It provides funding for a variety of areas including education, community and civic development, culture and the arts, social services, the environment, and emerging issues. For more information about the Consumers Energy Foundation and its support of America’s Promise, visit www.consumersenergy.com/foundation.

Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural gas and electricity to 6.8 million of Michigan’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

Source: Deb Dodd/Consumers Energy