DTE Energy Foundation and American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter Announce Youth Disaster Preparedness Initiative and Funding of Red Cross Disaster Services Efforts

DETROIT, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter and the DTE Energy Foundation today announced an initiative to prepare children and young adults in Southeastern Michigan to prevent and respond to emergencies and disasters in their homes, schools, neighborhoods and communities. In addition, DTE Energy announced an employee donation program with a matching funds component that will support Red Cross disaster services efforts in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

The DTE Energy Foundation is making a $300,000 grant to support the foundation of Red Cross Clubs in schools located in the areas of greatest need in Southeastern Michigan. These clubs go to the core of the Red Cross mission and message of preparedness, giving area youth the skills and experience they need to make their homes, schools and communities safer places to live and work. Clubs will be founded on a rolling basis in schools over the course of a three-year period.

In addition, DTE Energy employees will be given the opportunity to participate in a donation program to address the critical need of the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter for Disaster Services funds. Thanks to a DTE Energy Foundation disaster response fund managed by the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan, all DTE Energy employee donations will be matched 1:1 by the fund, up to $50,000.

"The DTE Energy Foundation and the employees of DTE Energy are making a critical investment in the ability of our community to prepare for, prevent and respond to disasters," said American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter Board Chair Denise Ilitch. "An educated and prepared child becomes an educated and prepared adult, which will benefit our region for decades to come. We're extremely grateful to the DTE Energy Foundation and the employees of DTE Energy for their support during this time of critical need for the Red Cross in our community."

The DTE Energy Foundation was approached by the leadership of the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter to support the creation of the Red Cross Clubs initiative in the region.

"This youth initiative through the Red Cross Clubs is an investment in the health, safety and well-being of the people of Southeastern Michigan that will make a difference in our community for years to come," said Fred Shell, president of the DTE Energy Foundation. "The people of DTE Energy recognize the critical role that the Red Cross plays in our community and we're very proud to support their efforts to make Southeastern Michigan a safer and more prepared place to live, work and grow."

While the Red Cross Clubs initiative and DTE Energy employee donation program have been in the planning stages since early 2010, this support comes at a critical time for the Red Cross in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

"The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter is not funded by the government and is not a part of the United Way," said Ilitch. "It's only through support such as this by the DTE Energy Foundation, DTE Energy and their employees that Red Cross volunteers and staff can help our community prepare for, prevent and respond to disasters, and we need this support now more than ever."

About DTE Energy:

DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide.  Its operating units include Detroit Edison, an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan; MichCon, a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan; and other non-utility energy businesses focused on gas storage and pipelines, unconventional gas production, power and industrial projects, and energy trading. Information about DTE Energy is available at www.dteenergy.com and at www.twitter.com/dte_energy.

About the DTE Energy Foundation:

The DTE Energy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of DTE Energy, continuing the legacy of community support and involvement of its principal operating subsidiaries, Detroit Edison and MichCon. The Foundation directs its contributions and involvement to support initiatives dedicated to developing the human and economic potential of the communities it serves. Grants are awarded under the foundation's "LEAD" guidelines: leadership, education, environment, achievement, development and diversity in the DTE Energy service territory, which includes southeast, western and northern Michigan. The DTE Energy Foundation is fully funded by the shareholders of DTE Energy.

About the American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter

The American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter is a non-profit humanitarian organization that turns caring into action by providing three core services for residents in southeast Michigan: relief to disaster victims, emergency aid to active and retired military personnel and their families, and the knowledge and skills to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergency situations. We are volunteer-driven and reflect the diversity of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. To learn more, log on to www.semredcross.org or follow our blog at www.semredcrossblog.org.

SOURCE American Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter