AKRON, Ohio, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the overwhelming need for support following the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti, The FirstEnergy Foundation will match FirstEnergy employee contributions to relief efforts made through American Red Cross chapters in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey - the states where the company has operations. "Our employees have a strong tradition of giving generously, regardless of where the need is," said FirstEnergy President and CEO Anthony J. Alexander. "By expanding our Matching Gifts Program to include contributions to the American Red Cross' relief efforts in Haiti, we hope to help our employees' contributions go further." In 2005, The FirstEnergy Foundation provided similar employee matching gift support for relief efforts after the Tsunami hit the Indian Ocean and Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast. The FirstEnergy Foundation is funded solely by FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) and provides support to non-profit, tax-exempt health and human services agencies; educational organizations; cultural and arts programs and institutions; and civic groups in areas served by FirstEnergy's seven electric operating companies and in areas where the company has facilities. Foundation contributions support programs and initiatives that help ensure the safety and health of the community, promote economic development, advance professional development, and support employee involvement and investment. The Matching Gifts Program contributes to educational, cultural, youth, civic, and health and human services organizations that are supported by FirstEnergy employees. FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company headquartered in Akron, Ohio. Its subsidiaries and affiliates are involved in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, as well as energy management and other energy-related services. Its seven electric utility operating companies - Ohio Edison, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, Toledo Edison, Metropolitan Edison, Pennsylvania Electric, Pennsylvania Power, and Jersey Central Power & Light - comprise the nation's fifth largest electric system, based on 4.5 million customers served within a 36,100 square-mile area of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey; and its generation subsidiaries control more than 14,000 megawatts of capacity. http://www.firstenergycorp.com/ DATASOURCE: FirstEnergy Corp. CONTACT: Ellen Raines, +1-330-384-5808 Web Site: http://www.firstenergycorp.com/

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