CONTACT: Peter Symons
Direct Energy
peter.symons@directenergy.com
(203) 973-2071
Annual Event Provides Services, Meals and Warm, Safe Place to Homeless, Crucial as Temperatures Remain Frigid Across Northern Ohio
CLEVELAND, OH. (February 15, 2007) – As late winter temperatures continue to hover in the teens, homeless men and women face even more dire situations than normal, as shelters fill-up and resources become scarce. To help address this pressing community issue, Direct Energy Services, LLC, one of the largest non-utility retail energy providers in the United States, will join The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, InterReligious Partners in Action of Greater
Cleveland (InterAct Cleveland), Cleveland Department of Public Health, and the Bishop Cosgrove Center to support “Homeless Stand Down 2007.” The event, which runs Feb. 10, 16, and 18, 2007, connects homeless people with volunteers who offer food, clothing, medical consultations, social services and shelter.
"We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary blend of corporate, government, foundation, and individual support in dollars and time that come together in the dead of winter to help so many of our fellow human beings,” said Sister Donna Marie Wilhelm, SSJ-TOSF, president of InterAct Cleveland. “Many thanks to Direct Energy for joining such loyal contributors as Cuyahoga County, the Gund Foundation, Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation, the Sisters of Charity Foundation, Jonathon Wise, and the host churches."
“It’s both inspiring and humbling to see the impact the Homeless Stand Down event has on the Cleveland community each year,” said Mike Beck, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, U.S North of Direct Energy. “Following the lead of InterAct Cleveland and the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, we can identify immediate areas of need and make sure funds and donations get distributed in a way that alleviates some of the most pressing concerns.”
Direct Energy’s donation of $2,000 will go toward food and transportation passes. According to the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, in order to avail themselves to the various services offered through Homeless Stand Down, men and women need transportation to these places. The transportation passes provided to them during this event can be used to follow up with health or social service professionals after the event.
“When companies like Direct Energy get involved in events like the Homeless Stand Down, it allows us to exponentially increase the services we can offer to the homeless people in our community,” said Brian Davis, executive director of Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless.
The remaining Stand Down 2007 dates are as follows: Feb. 16 (at the Cleveland Convention Center), and Sunday, Feb. 18 (at Trinity Cathedral). The group hosted the first day of the Stand Down on Feb. 10 at Pilgrim Congregational Church.
For further information on how people can become involved, please contact Sarah Sommers at 216.241.0230 or sommers@interactcleveland.org.
Direct Energy is part of the Centrica group of companies, one of the largest multi-state providers of competitive retail energy services in North America. The North American operations have grown to more than 5 million customer relationships. Direct Energy’s U.S. headquarters are located in Stamford, Conn. Globally, the Centrica group of companies is a leading provider of energy and other essential services with more than 31 million customer relationships. For more information, visit www.directenergy.com.
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