Direct Energy's Give Brighter Program has Brought Light to 45,000 People

HOUSTON, Nov. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Direct Energy's Give Brighter program has donated more than 45,000 solar inflatable Luci® lights to those in need through a partnership with MPOWERD, the company behind the innovative lights. The lights have been distributed across the globe, and more recently to some of the hardest hit areas from Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. Most recently, more than 500 Luci lights were donated to Casa Pueblo to take to Puerto Rico just a few days after Hurricane Maria left the island without power.

In 2016, Direct Energy introduced the Give Brighter program as a buy one-give-one campaign. Each customer who enrolls in a Give Brighter electricity or natural gas plan is given a Luci light and one is sent to a nonprofit to distribute to those living in energy poverty. First introduced to Texas customers, it quickly took off with more than 6,000 customers signing up in the first 3 months of the program. The program is now available to Direct Energy customers in the United States and Canada.

"It has been fantastic to see customers embrace the opportunity to help those in need," said Manu Asthana, president of Direct Energy Home. "Each of the 45,000 lights is helping to improve someone's life ? whether it's a medical tent to stay open past sunset, a child to read at night, or relief to people impacted by natural disasters. Each of the 45,000 lights has made a difference. We are happy to have been able to deliver safe, clean light to people in need and are pleased to now offer the program across the U.S. and in Alberta, Canada."

"The global challenges we face require participation from the corporate sector, and Direct Energy is leading the way," states MPOWERD CEO, Seungah Jeong.

"Our unique Give Luci platform enables good companies like Direct Energy to effectively spend marketing dollars against tangible programs that actually change lives," states MPOWERD Co-Founder, John Salzinger.

Created by MPOWERD, solar inflatable Luci lights offer a safe and clean alternative to dangerous kerosene lamps. With a full charge, each Luci lasts for hours of continuous clean light so families and businesses can keep going after dark. Durable, compact, waterproof and weighing only 2.4oz, Luci lights have been instrumental in disaster relief and search & rescue missions around the world.

About Direct Energy
Direct Energy is one of North America's largest retail providers of electricity, natural gas, and home and business energy-related services with over four million customers. Direct Energy gives customers choice, simplicity, and innovation where energy, data, and technology meet. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE: CNA), an international energy and services company, Direct Energy, its subsidiaries and/or affiliates, operate in 50 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 4 provinces in Canada. To learn more about Direct Energy, please visit www.directenergy.com 

SOURCE Direct Energy