Michael Brush Wins Award Celebrating His Volunteerism and Mentorship

Dayton, OH (10/8/2012) - In its first year and with a media sponsorship from the Dayton Daily News, Direct Energy's 2012 Dayton Volunteer Citizen of the Year award is honoring Michael Brush. Brush has shown tremendous dedication for a number of organizations and fundraising initiatives in and around the Dayton area, including the American Cancer Society and its annual Gala of Hope, the Dayton Bar Association, the Children's Organ Transplant Association, the Mark A. Kreusch Memorial Fund and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Miami Valley.

In honor of his father, Brush is active with the American Cancer Society (ACS) and was recently on the host committee for its annual Gala of Hope. Working countless hours behind the scenes, he was instrumental in acquiring sponsorships and silent auction items, as well as selling tickets to attendees. With Brush's help, the Gala of Hope raised over $655,000 for the ACS. In the past, Brush also organized a benefit concert and all funds were donated to the ACS.

Despite working full-time as an attorney, Brush always finds time to give back to the community by volunteering for the Dayton Bar Association's Leadership Development Program and the Dayton Early College Academy's Court Camp, speaking to young students interested in the practice of law. If that weren't enough, Brush has participated in fundraising events for the Children's Organ Transplant Association and the Mark A. Kreusch Memorial Fund, an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children in the greater Dayton area.

According to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Miami Valley (BBBSGMV)'s nomination for Brush, perhaps his most telling accolade of Brush's generosity and selflessness is his volunteer work for their organization. After being enrolled in the Big Brothers Big Sisters' organization in his area, he was matched with a Little Brother named Carlos. After just one month, Carlos' teachers and his own grandmother stated that he was taking more pride in himself, as well as in his school work. The BBBSGMV also states that Brush goes above and beyond the volunteer requirements and because of his mentorship, Carlos is a changed young man.

"Even with a full-time career, Michael's extensive volunteerism is both impressive and inspiring. Not only has Michael changed a young man's life for the better but he has also impacted other Dayton organizations in a positive way. These attributes made Michael's nomination truly stand out and ultimately chosen as Dayton's first ever Volunteer Citizen of the Year," said Cory Byzewski, Vice President and General Manager for Direct Energy.

A special event honoring Michael Brush will be held on Monday, October 15th at 5:30 pm. Representatives from Direct Energy and the Dayton Daily News will be on hand to present Michael with his award. The event will be held at the Cox Media Group Ohio's media room at 1611 S. Main Street in Dayton, Ohio 45409.

About Direct Energy
Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with more than 6 million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE:CNA), one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 45 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 10 provinces in Canada.

About Cox Media Group Ohio
Cox Media Group Ohio (CMG Ohio) is a fully integrated media enterprise that includes print and online products for the Dayton Daily News, Hamilton JournalNews, Springfield News-Sun, and the Middletown Journal daily newspapers, and The Western Star, Fairfield Echo, The Oxford Press and The Pulse-Journal weekly newspapers; targeted print and online products such as ActiveDayton.com, Skywrighter, DaytonB2B, SpringfieldB2B and CinDayB2B; and broadcast properties that include WHIO-TV, a CBS affiliate, and News Talk Radio WHIO AM 1290 and 95.7FM, K99.1FM and 95.3 The Eagle.

For further information, contact:

Julie Hendry
Direct Energy
1-412-925-6773
Julie.Hendry@directenergy.com