Anand and Doris Saha Win First-Ever Columbus Small Business Community Heroes Award

Peoria, IL (July 2, 2014) -Direct Energy and ThisWeek Community News announce Anand and Doris Saha, owners of Clintonville's Mozart's, as the first-ever Columbus Small Business Community Heroes awardees for their dedication to making community service a key part of their business philosophy. The Sahas were chosen because of their strong support of local schools, music programs, and neighborhood programs.

The Sahas first came to Columbus from Austria in 1995 with a dream of opening their own bakery. They opened a small European pastry shop - Mozart's - in April of that year. In 2013, they completed a renovation of a historically significant building and moved from a much smaller building to this one, which immediately served as a convenient gathering place. According to one nomination for the couple, "they have raised the bar for community service and continue to enrich the lives of those around them."

The Sahas support music and arts in numerous ways including hosting a concert series to raise money and community awareness of the Columbus Symphony and regularly hosting student music recitals. They have worked with the Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center (CRC) since 1998 and have raised about $300,000 for the nonprofit. Mr. Saha founded the nonprofit Experience Clintonville, an organization that promotes Clintonville as a great place to live, work, play, and worship. In addition, Mr. Saha established the nonprofit Million Lego for Kids, which collects new and used LEGOs® and redistributes them to local schools and youth organizations to help underprivileged kids in the community learn basic math and engineering concepts.

"The Sahas' dedication to Clintonville, as well as the greater Columbus community at large, epitomized what we were seeking in the first-ever Columbus Small Business Community Hero," said Steve Girard, head of small business, Direct Energy Business. "Their strong ties to local nonprofits and their willingness to open the doors of their businesses for many causes is something to be admired."

Roy Biondi, publisher of ThisWeek Community News, said, "The Sahas exemplify what we think of as community. Their business sense, their commitment, and their compassion make them a wonderful choice for this award. We congratulate them and their business as well as the great people at Direct Energy for bringing the Small Business Community Heroes program to Columbus."

By winning the Columbus Small Business Community Heroes award, Direct Energy will donate $1,000 each in the Sahas' name to the CRC and Million Lego for Kids nonprofits. Additionally, the Sahas will be recognized in ThisWeek Community News, will receive a commemorative award, and Direct Energy will award them a $500 cash prize.

An award ceremony takes place Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at Mozart's, 4784 N.High St., Columbus, OH 43214, at 1 p.m. to honor the winners. Media are welcome to attend.

The judging committee for the Columbus Small Business Community Heroes also selected two Honorable Mentions: Mary McCarthy, owner of Your Management Team, Inc. and co-founder of the Women's Small Business Accelerator and Jim Butz, co-owner of SPGB Architects, for his involvement with Lower Lights Ministries. Direct Energy will donate $250 each to the honorable mentions' charity of choice.

For further information, please contact:
Andrea Romo
Direct Energy
Andrea.Romo@directenergy.com
412.667.5207