Ameren Missouri Launches Campaign to Honor Everyday Heroes and Organizations Who "Power Change" in the Community

ST. LOUIS, July 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Today, Ameren Missouri launched a statewide campaign to recognize customers and nonprofit organizations that make a difference in the community. The Ameren Missouri Powers Change program will celebrate everyday heroes and their preferred charities, awarding more than $20,000 in funding to power positive change in Ameren Missouri's service area.

Starting today, Ameren Missouri customers can visit Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri to upload a photo and a 300-character essay about how they or someone they know powers positive change in the community, designating a nonprofit organization as the ultimate beneficiary. The call for entries runs through Aug. 6, giving individuals and nonprofit organizations four weeks to enter their stories for a chance to win the grand prize of $10,000 for charity and $250 for the individual in mid-September.

"Ameren Missouri and its employees pride themselves on providing efficient, reliable energy for our customers every day – from your local daycare providers and nursing home volunteers to those who work with at-risk youth," said Ameren Missouri Chairman, President and CEO Warner Baxter. "We created a program that rewards these unsung heroes and organizations making a difference every day. We're asking them to share their stories and rally support from their friends and families in a fun-spirited competition."

Ameren Missouri will select up to 10 finalists for the Powering Change program in early August, awarding each individual finalist with $250 and the chance for the grand prize. The grand prize winner, determined by voters on Facebook, will receive a $10,000 grant for their designated organization and the runner-up will receive $2,500 for their charity of choice. The remaining eight finalists will receive $1,000 for their designated organization. Voting will take place for two weeks, from Aug. 17 until Aug. 31, and the winners will be announced after Sept. 10.

To celebrate the launch of the Ameren Missouri Powers Change program, Ameren Missouri has partnered with Fox SportsNet Midwest broadcaster and former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Rick Horton to kick-off the campaign today with civic leaders at Ballpark Village in downtown St. Louis. Horton is known for "powering positive change" in the community by inspiring athletes of all ages with his involvement in the Greater St. Louis Area Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization.

During the event, Horton will conduct a batting clinic with area youth from several of Ameren Missouri's local partner organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis, the Mathews-Dickey Boys & Girls Club and the Gene Slay Boys' Club, to celebrate the launch and encourage participation in the program.

For more information, stories of inspiration and official rules for the Ameren Missouri Powers Change program, interested individuals and organizations can visit Facebook.com/AmerenMissouri.

Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than a century, and our electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. We serve 1.2 million electric and 127,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. Our mission is to meet their energy needs in a safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Our service area covers 63 counties and more than 500 towns, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit AmerenMissouri.com.

SOURCE Ameren Missouri