Direct Energy Celebrates National Energy Awareness Month through its Induction into Children's Miracle Network Hospitals® Miracle Million Club

HOUSTON, Oct. 14, 2016 /CNW/ -- Each day, Direct Energy® and its family of brands power and service nearly five million homes and businesses across North America. During October, Direct Energy and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals® (CMN Hospitals) celebrate the additional lives powered by Direct Energy through its support of local CMN Hospitals during National Energy Awareness Month; starting with the Company's induction into the Miracle Million Club. The Miracle Million Club honors those companies that have raised $1 million or more in one year for CMN Hospitals.

"Qualifying for the Miracle Million Club is a reflection of the hard work, dedication and collective effort of Direct Energy -- from front line employees to senior leadership -- that has made this recognition possible," said John Lauck, president and CEO of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. "Being a member of this club indicates that Direct Energy is a vital part of our Network of passionate organizations and individuals who are impacting the lives of sick and injured children every day."

"We are proud to join several other prestigious companies in the Miracle Million Club," said Badar Khan, CEO of Direct Energy. "Since we announced our partnership with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, our employees across the country have helped to make a difference at their local CMN Hospitals through volunteering and fundraising."

Direct Energy will continue to celebrate National Energy Awareness Month through Direct Energy's  "DE in Motion Miracle Challenge."  An estimated 3,000 Direct Energy employees will participate in various fitness challenges from walking, yoga, biking or boot camp. For every fitness challenge completed, Direct Energy will make an additional donation to CMN Hospitals up to $150,000.

The funds raised will be distributed to the local member CMN Hospitals serving the communities where Direct Energy has corporate offices including Houston, TX; Tulsa, OK; Iselin, NJ; Sarasota, FL; Buffalo Grove, IL; Pittsburgh, PA; Tempe, AZ; Columbia, MD and Calgary, Alberta.

About Direct Energy
Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services provider with nearly five million residential and commercial customers. 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 50 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 10 provinces in Canada. To learn more about Direct Energy, please visit www.directenergy.com.

About Children's Miracle Network Hospitals
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care. Since 1983, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $5 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity's Miracle Balloon icon. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit's mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children's hospitals need community support, identify your member hospital and learn how you can Put Your Money Where the Miracles Are, at CMNHospitals.org and facebook.com/CMNHospitals.

SOURCE Direct Energy

Melissa Hand, Direct Energy, [phone] Office, [email protected], http://www.directenergy.com