Consumers Energy Completes Saginaw Light Up the City Campaign; Contributes $10,000 to Saginaw Witness Assistance Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 07, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — A successful Light Up the City Saginaw crime reduction campaign concluded with the presentation of a $10,000 check from Consumers Energy to the Saginaw Witness Assistance Program administered by the Saginaw County Prosecutor’s office.

Consumers Energy was the presenting sponsor of the 2015 Light Up the City effort, along with other key partners including the Michigan State Police, United Way, Saginaw Public Schools, City of Saginaw and Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce.

“We are very pleased with the results of this year’s Light Up the City campaign, which saw increased business support, additional partners and a great deal of interest and participation in this effort to reduce crime and make our city safer,” said Tom Begin, director of public affairs for Consumers Energy. “Our goal is to help ensure that the communities in which we serve are safe for all to work, live and play,” he added.

Light-Up the City was a seven-week series of community-wide events that took place in neighborhoods throughout Saginaw during the summer, all aimed at reducing crime. What began as an initiative in 2012 between Consumers Energy and a Michigan State police trooper to encourage residents to turn on their porch lights has gained momentum and this year involved hundreds of people, businesses and organizations from the Saginaw community.

The check presentation was made on December 3 at the Saginaw Chamber’s December Percolator Breakfast held today at Horizons Conference Center. The contribution will be used to help provide relocation and advocacy services for Saginaw County witnesses who may need protection during criminal investigations and court proceedings.

This donation from Consumers Energy will directly and positively impact crime victims and witnesses in Saginaw County. The money will be used to fund temporary housing, assistance with food and daycare, transportation and other needs to support the witnesses who are willing to come forward and testify to help take violent offenders off the street,” said Trevis Ruffin, major crimes unit assistant prosecutor for the State of Michigan.

In 2014 the Consumers Energy Foundation contributed more than $10 million to Michigan nonprofits through grants, corporate giving, and employee and retiree contributions.
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.

Media Contacts: Debra Dodd, 586-918-0597, or Terry DeDedoes, 517-374-2159
For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.