Power4Schools Groups Support FirstEnergy Solutions' Campaign to Reenergize Ohio Schools

COLUMBUS and AKRON, Ohio, Sept. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ohio Association of School Business Officials (OASBO), Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA), Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA) and Ohio Schools Council (OSC) − together, known as Power4Schools − are endorsing the Thanks a Million giveaway, a campaign launched by FirstEnergy Solutions to help reenergize the residents, businesses and schools throughout Ohio during this difficult economy. 

Through this campaign, FirstEnergy Solutions is giving away $1 million in cash prizes:  $50,000 each to eight Ohio businesses, $25,000 to eight Ohio residents and $50,000 to each resident's local school district to use for the programs, services or supplies schools need most.

"Schools throughout Ohio are struggling to work within their ever-shrinking budgets," said David Varda, executive director of OASBO.  "Campaigns like the FirstEnergy Solutions Thanks a Million giveaway go a long way to helping Ohio schools through this difficult economy by providing funding for programs, services and supplies to enrich our students' education."

Rick Lewis, OSBA executive director added, "We selected FirstEnergy Solutions to manage the Power4Schools Electricity Purchasing Program because of their ability to provide savings and budget certainty to Ohio school districts, as well as their dedication to the success of Ohio's schools.  We are encouraging our schools and their supporters to participate in and promote the Thanks a Million giveaway − the greater your local participation in the giveaway, the greater your district's odds of winning a share of $400,000."

"We are pleased to have the support of our partners, the Ohio Schools Council, Ohio School Boards Association, Ohio Association of School Business Officials and Buckeye Association of School Administrators," said Donald Schneider, president, FirstEnergy Solutions.  "As an Ohio-based company, FirstEnergy Solutions is committed to helping ensure the people and businesses in this state continue to thrive.  And that all starts with supporting our schools, where Ohio's future is taking shape."

Ohio residents and businesses that enroll in an electric generation offer with FirstEnergy Solutions through October 31, 2012, are automatically entered in the giveaway.  To enroll or to find out how to enter without purchase, go online to ThanksaMillionOhio.com.  No purchase necessary.  Purchase won't improve chances.  Void where prohibited.  Game is from August 1 through October 31, 2012.  Eligibility restrictions apply.  Eight individual $25,000 prizes; eight $50,000 school donations; eight business $50,000 prizes.  Odds based on number of eligible entries.  Complete Official Rules at www.ThanksaMillionOhio.com.  Sponsor is FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., 341 White Pond Dr., Akron, Ohio, 44320.

Power4Schools is already providing savings to more than 300 districts and education facilities through their Electric Program.  Schools interested in receiving a customized quote can contact FirstEnergy Solutions at (877) 524-7283.

FirstEnergy Solutions, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), provides competitive electric generation supply and other energy-related products and services to two million customers, and is a licensed supplier in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Michigan and Illinois.  For more information on FirstEnergy Solutions, visit fes.com.

FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence.  Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia.  Its generation subsidiaries control more than 20,000 megawatts of capacity from a diversified mix of scrubbed coal, non-emitting nuclear, natural gas, hydro, pumped-storage hydro and other renewables.  Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

BASA is a nonprofit professional organization of school system leaders, specifically, superintendents, central office administrators, building-level administrators, higher education administrators and faculty, graduate students and other educational personnel.

OASBO, founded in 1936, serves the continuing education and legislative advocacy needs of public school district treasurer/CFOs, business managers, transportation & food service supervisors and support staff. OASBO also offers group savings programs.  Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, OASBO has four statewide and twelve regional chapters.

OSBA is in its 56th year of service to public education.  It represents almost every Ohio public school board, providing superior service and creative solutions, including consulting, training, legal information and other services.

OSC is a regional council of governments created by public school districts of Northeastern Ohio in 1986 for the purpose of saving schools dollars through volume purchasing.  Currently, 161 public school districts in 28 counties are members of OSC.  These districts are enjoying reduced pricing through 24 programs, such as utilities, insurances, supplies and equipment, and various services.

www.firstenergycorp.com

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.