Shining Light Awards Call for Nominations

Awards will honor local community people with a passionate commitment to
regional cooperation

DETROIT, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Nominations are being sought for the "Shining
Light Regional Cooperation Awards," sponsored by the Detroit Free Press and
Metropolitan Affairs Coalition, to recognize people who have made important
contributions to regional cooperation, progress and understanding in
metropolitan Detroit. Nominations are open to the public and should be
submitted by June 30, 2009.

The three awards are:

-- The "Neal Shine Award for Exemplary Regional Leadership,"
which recognizes an individual in the public spotlight who is taking
risks and demonstrating courage to improve regional cooperation and
understanding.

-- The "Eleanor Josaitis 'Unsung Hero'," which
recognizes an individual who may not have yet received the widespread
recognition he or she deserves for longstanding efforts to further
regional cooperation and understanding.

-- The "Dave Bing Future Leader," which recognizes a young adult
who is involved with enhancing regional understanding and cooperation
within our metropolitan community.

Criteria and nomination forms can be found at www.shininglightawards.com.
Questions may be directed to info@shininglightawards.com or to 248-336-8623.

"The awards recognize and profile individuals who, in one way or another, have
taken a leadership role in encouraging people and community to work
cooperatively to improve metropolitan Detroit," said Thomas Linn, immediate
past chairman, Metropolitan Affairs Coalition, and principal and chairman
emeritus, Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, PLC.

"The specific area of cooperation is not restricted and may involve working
across jurisdictional boundaries on social, economic, environmental or quality
of life issues affecting the region," Linn said.

Award winners will be selected by a panel of representatives of the Detroit
Free Press and Metropolitan Affairs Coalition. The winners will be honored
October 8, 2009, at a special breakfast ceremony and celebration at The Ford
Conference & Event Center in Dearborn, Michigan, beginning at 8 a.m.

"We believe that in these challenging times it is more important than ever to
recognize people who think and act regionally to help make metro Detroit a
more attractive and globally competitive area," said Debbie Dingell,
chairperson, Metropolitan Affairs Coalition, Vice Chair, GM Foundation, and
Executive Director, Public Affairs & Community Relations for General Motors
Corporation.

The Detroit Free Press and Metropolitan Affairs Coalition launched the Shining
Light Awards in 2007 to highlight the critical importance of regional
cooperation to the success of Southeast Michigan.

"The awards were named in honor of the late Neal Shine, who promoted his love
for Detroit and his vision for stronger ties among all metro communities
during his 45-year career at the Detroit Free Press," said Paul Anger,
publisher and editor, Detroit Free Press.

The inaugural winners of the awards were Mike and Marian Ilitch for the Neal
Shine Award for Exemplary Regional Leadership, and Eleanor Josaitis and Dave
Bing for the awards named after them. Award Winners for 2008 were: Kerry
Doman (Dave Bing Future Leader Award), Carol Goss (Eleanor Josaitis "Unsung
Hero" Award), and Dr. David DiChiera (Neal Shine Award for Exemplary Regional
Leadership).

"To be competitive in today's economy, regions need a cooperative spirit and
good working relationships among all of their communities. A region that
believes we are all in this together is more likely to establish the common
vision essential to develop a vibrant community," Anger said.

The Detroit Free Press has been, according to its motto, "On guard for 178
Years" -- informing, engaging and delighting readers for generations. A
winner of three national Emmy awards and nine Pulitzers, the newspaper also
operates www.freep.com, its interactive multimedia online edition, and
www.digitalfreepress.com, an online replica of the daily paper. Owned by
Gannett Co., Inc., the Free Press has a combined print/online readership of
1.3 million Monday through Saturday and a combined print/online readership of
more than 1.6 million on Sunday.

The Metropolitan Affairs Coalition, established in 1958, is a public/private
partnership dedicated to improving greater Detroit's quality of life and
creating economic opportunity through regional cooperation. Visit its website
www.mac-web.org.

SOURCE Metropolitan Affairs Coalition

Debora Scola, Detroit Media Partnership, +1-313-222-6895, dscola@dnps.com;
Susan Phillips, Metropolitan Affairs Coalition, +1-313-961-2270,
Phillips@mac-web.org