DTE Energy - Awards and Recognition

DTE Energy 2010 McCarthy Award Grants

Every year, DTE Energy employees and retirees volunteer thousands of hours to make their communities a better place. They have our heartfelt thanks for giving of themselves day after day. Because thanks just doesn't seem to be enough, the DTE Energy Foundation gives a special award to recognize our employees' and retirees' contributions and help the organizations they serve continue their good work. That's why each award includes a grant made in the recipient's name to the nonprofit organization they serve.

The following organizations – supported by our employee volunteers -- received 2010 McCarthy Award grants from the DTE Energy Foundation: more

A little effort makes a big impact with Big Brothers Big Sisters

Every quarter the DTE Energy Foundation celebrates the volunteer spirit of our employees and retirees by awarding grants to the community organizations they support. In 2010, the Foundation awarded 198 McCarthy Award grants totaling $227,000 to non-profits across the DTE Energy service territory. The awards were established in 1990 to honor DTE Energy’s fourth chief executive officer, Walter J. McCarthy Jr. more

The Muskegon River Valley Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) in Big Rapids, Mich., received a McCarthy Award grant of $2,000 in recognition of the volunteer work of Jonathan Salinas, a DTE Energy construction specialist for MichCon's Transmission and Storage Operations Division. Salinas has volunteered for his local BBBS for two years and recently was appointed to its advisory board.

“Being a Big Brother is about being a good friend and fulfilling a need of companionship that some ‘littles’ may lack at home,” Salinas explains. “It is about giving your undivided attention to a child that may not feel noticed; it’s about affirming accomplishments that no one else sees, and helping them to see their potential when no one else points it out.”

This is how Salinas describes his Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer experience:

“After graduating from Michigan Tech and getting married, my wife and I moved to Big Rapids when I accepted the position at MichCon. While in college both of us had spent significant amounts of time volunteering. Once we settled into our new lifestyle in Big Rapids, we decided that we wanted to get involved in the community. My wife having already worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters signed up to be a mentor or “big.” About a month later, I followed suit.

“Since I became involved in BBBS I have been matched with two “littles,” Bradlee and Jonathon. Bradlee, 12, moved away after about a year. Then I was matched with Jonathon, a 9-year-old boy from Big Rapids. In the case of both of my matches it was the mothers’ wish that I focus on doing “guy things” as neither of the boys had a very active relationship with their fathers. Some of the activities we have attempted include fishing, ice fishing, hunting, demolishing a deck, building a work bench, baseball games, and LEGO castle adventure, along with countless others. I normally spend 2-4 hours a week with Jonathon. Currently we are working on his science fair project.

“Being a Big Brother is not all fun and games. With my first “little,” I learned quickly that basic manners which I took for granted, were actually new concepts to him. For instance, to walk in public, not to interrupt when others are talking, not to treat public places like a jungle-gym, and most importantly, you can’t knock down 80-year-old ladies in church because you are in a hurry to find a seat. By being strict and delivering on the threat to go home if he couldn’t act appropriately, he quickly picked up these new manners that no one else took the time to reinforce in him. I know that these painstaking efforts will pay dividends in the success he has in life.

“My wife and I had doubts as to whether being newly married, we had time for such a program. I can attest that few things have blessed and enriched my life so much. I don’t think I have ever regretted taking time out of my busy schedule to spend with my “littles.” While the emphasis seems to be mostly on the kids, don’t be fooled, us “bigs” get as much, if not more, out of our new found friendship.”

For the last 50 years BBBS has been matching children with adult volunteers to create fun and rewarding relationships. These child-adult friendships fostered by BBBS are intended to help the child grow to be a productive and caring adult. Most of the children involved in the BBBS program are considered at-risk, coming from low income and/or single parent relationships. To learn how you can volunteer with BBBS, click here.

Company chairman receives 2011 Distinguished Citizen Award

The Great Lakes Council Boy Scouts of America has named DTE Energy Chairman Anthony F. Earley Jr. its 2011 Distinguished Citizen. The award recognizes individuals who have performed Scout-like community service, created better awareness of Scouting’s positive impact in the community, or supported both Scouting and Learning for Life programs in southeast Michigan. more

DTE Energy Chairman Anthony F. Earley

on volunteering

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