Volunteer Opportunities

Year-round Corporate Volunteer Opportunities

Seasonal Corporate Volunteer Opportunities

DTE Energy Green Team

 We need volunteers to work on environmental projects on company property and in the communities DTE Energy serves. There are opportunities for the whole family too! Projects include planting trees, stream clean-up and more. Call Bert Urbani, Environmental Initiatives, 313.235.8624, e-mail: urbanir or view the Green Team's calendar for a complete list of events.

Habitat for Humanity

 DTE Energy volunteers are needed to help Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization. Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 175,000 houses, providing shelter for nearly 900,000 people worldwide. Now at work in 100 countries, we are building a house every 26 minutes. As of 2005, Habitat houses will be sheltering 1 million people. We welcome everyone to join us as we build simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with those who lack adequate shelter. If you have any interest contact Michael Sage, 313.235.5764, e-mail: sagem

United Way

Retirees are an important part of the DTE Energy United Way Campaign – it’s a tradition. Over the years, retiree generosity to United Way has helped countless recipients who couldn’t afford the basic essentials of life. Retirees are committed to our customers, especially in tough times, and our community’s needs continue to grow. In fact, the #1 call this year to the United Way 2-1-1 hotline is for help with utility bills.

Over the years, retirees have given to United Way through financial contributions, volunteerism, and committee and board positions. And, over the years, the ethic of United Way has remained the same: People who care giving to people who need a helping hand.

Walker Cisler, past CEO of our company, reached out to employees in the 1950s urging support for community giving:

“More and more, people have come to realize that we all have a responsibility to share our well-being with our fellow men. Call it the American way of life, or whatever you wish; it’s the way and hope of better living. I’ve been proud … that we graciously and generously give from our hearts.”

Fifty years later, retirees are still upholding the United Way tradition. If you currently are a contributor, thank you. If you have not donated in the past, please consider joining us. The campaign starts Sept. 6, 2012 and continues until Oct. 31.

Join us. Live United.

Here’s why retiree Jim Patterson continues to support United Way: “I have been fortunate to have had steady work all my life and now enjoy my retirement! United Way agencies help those people who have not been as fortunate as me. I supported United Way when I worked for DTE Energy because of my good fortune and I felt it was the right thing to do. Now how can I desert them while I am enjoying my retirement and there are so many people who still need assistance? I just can’t do that! I continue to donate to United Way, and I urge my fellow retirees to do the same. If every retiree donated just $20, as much as $50,000-$60,000 or more would go to help the agencies help those in need!”

To donate, fill out the UW retiree pledge form you received in the mail and send back to UW Coordinator, One Energy Plaza, 1583 WCB, Detroit, MI 48226. To volunteer, visit the UW Web site.

Working Together Committee

 This group builds ramps for the disabled with lumber paid for by the United Way. They also get involved in adopt-a-family efforts and other activities throughout the year. For more information, contact Ed Woods, 313.965.9817 or Sandra Crum, 313.596.4175.

American Heart Association (AHA) Start! Heart Walk

 Employees, retirees, friends and family are invited to become team captains and participate in local AHA Start! Heart Walks held yearly in May. The money raised for this event supports heart research and education. Heart disease and stroke are the number one and three causes of death. Therefore, heart research and education are important. That's why our company is once again supporting local chapters of the AHA.  Retirees interested in being a Team Captain or participating in an AHA Michigan Start! Heart Walk can do so by calling the DTE Energy AHA coordinator Wilma Davies,  313.235.9906, or Jennifer Marentette, 248.936.5811.

Annual Fermi 2 Energy Run

 The run is a chance to help a good cause, enjoy some friendly competition and get some fresh air and exercise in a beautiful setting on the campus of Monroe County Community College. The Energy Run, sponsored by Fermi 2, the Washington Group, the Monroe Milers, and Monroe County Community College, benefits Monroe Project Read, a program dedicated to increasing adult literacy through volunteer tutoring programs. The event includes a one mile fun run, a 5k and 8k cross-country races judged and timed by the Monroe Milers running club. Energy Run participants are welcome to bring family members and friends. Entertainment and activities provided for children and adults include an Enviro-Magic show, face painting, and more. For more information on the Energy Run, contact Wendy Spicer, 734.586.4168, e-mail: spicerw.

Ecorse Good Neighbor Day

 This event is held in June, from 8 until 3 p.m. Similar to Paint the Town, various companies and residents will paint the homes of low-income senior citizens, plant trees and flowers, plus clean up parks and do other neighborhood beautification projects. This is a fun volunteer event for the entire family. For more information, contact Madelyn Williams, 313.235.6088, e-mail: williamsmb.

Retirees, employees, family and friends can volunteer to help make the holidays brighter for homebound seniors in metro Detroit by packing and/or delivering food on Dec. 23 and 25. Through this effort we will serve 5,700 seniors in Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Harper Woods, and the five Grosse Pointes. The DTE Energy Meals on Wheels Programis in need of hundreds of volunteers. If you’d like to volunteer, submit the eForm or contact Marie Wayman, 313.235.1797. If you are unable to volunteer your time, but would still like to help, you can make a donation to the Holiday Meals on Wheels Program by visiting the Detroit Area Agency on Aging website. Every $5 donation buys one meal for a homebound senior. In addition, our DTE Energy Foundation will donate $25,000 to the Holiday Meals on Wheels Program. Volunteers must sign up by Dec. 3!

Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion (MRDI) Walk2gether

 One day in May, employees, retirees, friends and family Walk2gether at Belle Isle in Detroit to support the MRDI, a human-relations organization dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry, racism and discrimination in the United States. The MRDI  promotes understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures through advocacy, conflict resolution and education. Walk captains are needed for the walk. Captains recruit walkers, collect registration forms and money, and distribute T-shirts to walkers. The MRDI Walk2gether is a way for DTE Energy employees and retirees to demonstrate commitment to a community that is inclusive and just. Information on how you can become a walk captain will be posted a few months prior to the date of the walk.

MS-150

 Join the DTE Cycling Club for the MS-150, the ride to raise money to fund research into a cure for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS is a disease of the central nervous system affecting the brain and spinal cord that usually strikes people in the prime of their lives, between the ages of 20 and 50. More than 400,000 people nationwide live with the devastating effects of MS, 75 percent of them women. While there are many promising treatments for MS, there is still no cure. Last year's DTE Cycling Club Team raised $5529. If you would like more information about the DTE Cycling Club, contact Marlane Potter. If you would like more information about the MS-150, or a registration brochure, contact Reed Romain.

Paint the Town

 DTE Energy's Detroit Community Involvement Task Force manages this annual community service project each summer, usually in August. Various companies and organizations will paint and repair homes for low-income residents, senior citizens and disabled adults in Inkster, Pontiac and Detroit's east side. Volunteers are welcome. Paint, equipment, supplies, T-shirts/caps, transportation and lunch will be provided. If you like to scrape, clean, paint, climb on ladders or just support those who do, contact Denise Thomas, 734.397.4203, e-mail: thomasdy.

Rebuilding Together with Christmas in April

 DTE Energy employees and their family members age 12 and over are needed to volunteer for "Rebuilding Together with Christmas in April." This event, sponsored annually by the DTE Energy Foundation and the Oakland Community Involvement Task Force, encourages employees, their families and friends to come together to renovate the home of a needy Oakland County resident. No experience or specific skills are necessary. (This is a great way for your teenager to complete community service requirement for school or church or for employees to achieve team-building experience.) The event is usually held the last Saturday in April. For more information, contact Carla Gribbs, 248.223.2306.