MISS DIG, Local Utilities Sponsor Day of Ballpark Fun on Aug. 11 (8/11) in Support of Safe Digging

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich., Aug. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of the Kent County Big Brothers Big Sisters enjoyed a West Michigan Whitecaps ballgame on August 11 as guests of MISS DIG and local utility companies Consumers Energy, DTE Energy, SEMCO and Wolverine Pipe Line Company.  August 11 is 8/11 on the calendar, a natural reminder for people to call 811 before digging.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110812/DE51554 )

Fifty Big Brothers Big Sisters and their little partners donned bright Call 811 T-shirts and took the field to form a large, human 8-1-1 (Please see attached photo).  Nathan Hawes, a 15-year old who has been part of the Big Brother Big Sisters program for seven years, was selected to throw out the first pitch.  

"We're so appreciative to MISS DIG, Wolverine Pipe Line Company, SEMCO, DTE Energy and Consumers Energy for hosting us at the Whitecaps game," said BJ Larson, a Big Brother/Sister for 10 years.  "And we are glad to be able to help them spread the important safety message about calling MISS DIG at 811 before you dig."  

August 11 serves as a convenient reminder for Michigan contractors, farmers, and do-it-yourselfers to always call 811 at least three days before digging.  When dialing 811 in Michigan, you will be connected to MISS DIG, Michigan's one-call center.  Professional locators are then sent to the requested digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint or both.

Striking a gas or electric line can lead to serious personal injury, repair costs, fines and inconvenient outages.  Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a call to MISS DIG by dialing 811.  Installing a mailbox, building a deck, planting a tree and laying a patio are all examples of household digging projects that need a call to 811 before starting.  

"On August 11, and throughout the year, MISS DIG and the utility companies work hard to remind homeowners and professional contractors alike to call 811 before digging to eliminate the risk of striking an underground utility line," said Kathie Fournier, CEO and Executive Director of MISS DIG.  "We hope this unique promotion, in partnership with the West Michigan Whitecaps and the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kent County, will help us further communicate this important safety message."

West Michigan Whitecaps
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t582

Big Brothers Big Sisters (Kent County)
http://www.dablodgett.org

MISS DIG
http://www.missdig.net/

Consumers Energy
http://www.consumersenergy.com/

DTE Energy
http://www.dteenergy.com/

SEMCO
http://www.semcoenergygas.com/

Wolverine Pipe Line Company
http://wolverinepipeline.com/

SOURCE MISS DIG