Consumers Energy today presented Michigan Community Action with \\$293,000 in donations that employees and the company raised by taking part in over 30 recent Walk for Warmth events across the state.

"We are so proud to play a supportive role in raising money to help keep Michigan residents warm," said

Patti Poppe, Consumers Energy's incoming president and chief executive officer. "Over 2,000 employees took part in Walk for Warmth events, everywhere from Zeeland to Saginaw to Adrian, knowing that we can all do our part to care for the communities we serve by raising money and awareness."

Consumers Energy teamed up with Community Action Agencies statewide to sponsor 33 Walk for Warmth events. Consumers Energy contributed up to \\$2 for every dollar that employees, family and friends raised.

Since 2012, Consumers Energy and employees have raised over \\$991,000 through the annual Walk for Warmth campaign.

The company presented a ceremonial check and was honored during a Michigan Community Action today at the state Capitol in Lansing. Proceeds from the individual walks were already distributed to local Community Action Agencies, to assist families and individuals to pay their energy bills. In many cases, funds from Walks for Warmth help households that lack other financial resources.

"We couldn't have imagined four years ago when we committed to sponsoring Walk for Warmth the impact that our employees would have," Poppe said. "We're honored to serve our most vulnerable Michigan residents alongside the local Community Action Agencies. We are grateful for this relationship and look forward to working together in the future."

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

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COMMUNITY TOTALS: The following represent fundraising totals for some Michigan communities: 
Jackson -- \\$105,000 
Greenville -- \\$30,000 
Three Rivers -- \\$28,800 
Grand Rapids -- \\$23,000 
Flint -- \\$11,000 
Adrian -- \\$11,000 
Lansing -- \\$7,000 
Sterling Heights -- \\$5,000 
Midland -- \\$4,300 
Saginaw -- \\$2,500