HOUSTON, TX/Nov. 7, 2013 – Comerica Bank and DePelchin Children’s Center today announced four grand prize winners in a Thanksgiving Art Contest benefitting children currently served by the Houston-based non-profit. Grand prize winners each received $1,000 in protected savings accounts; eight other finalists each earned $500 in protected savings accounts for their entries. The winners were announced at Comerica’s Annual Thanksgiving Reception, an event designed to recognize and show appreciation for Comerica’s non-profit partners in Houston.

The grand prize winners of the 2013 Comerica Bank Thanksgiving Art Contest are:

Maya, Age 5 (Houston) in the age 6 and under category

Chase, Age 9 (Spring) in the age 7-10 category

Doranelly, Age 11(Houston) in the age 11-14 category

Drager, Age 16 (La Marque) in the age 15-18 category

The grand prize-winning entries and essays can be viewed at www.comerica.com/ThanksgivingArtContest starting at 6:30pm CDT on Thursday, November 7, 2013.

The contest, which was open to children served by DePelchin Children’s Center in the Greater Houston area ages 18 and under, gave children the opportunity to win seed money in a protected savings account for creating a drawing or painting depicting “what they’re most thankful for this year,” along with a brief essay. The public voting period for the contest took place on Comerica’s Facebook page between October 22 and November 4, 2013.

In addition to the $8,000 of prize money awarded, Comerica provided an unrestricted $2,000 grant to DePelchin Children’s Center in support of their mental health, foster care and adoption programs.

“We are delighted to have been part of this special contest in partnership with DePelchin Children’s Center. The children’s entries were powerful and inspiring, and they certainly serve as a reminder to all of us to stop and give thanks for things we often take for granted,” said J. Downey Bridgwater, Comerica’s Houston Market President. “And, we thank the public for its part in voting to help bring extra joy to these children this holiday season.”

“Comerica Bank’s Thanksgiving Art Contest was a huge success not only with the number of entries from our children but also the talented level of creativity they exhibited,” said Jenifer Jarriel, DePelchin’s President and CEO. “There is nothing more powerful than the true expression of a child – through both art and the written word -  to serve as a reminder of the important work we do every day in turning lives around.  We are thankful to Comerica for giving us the opportunity to do just that through this contest.”

About Comerica Bank
Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. To find us on Facebook, please visit www.facebook.com/ComericaCares. Follow Comerica on Twitter at @ComericaCares and follow Comerica Chief Economist Robert Dye on Twitter at @Comerica_Econ.

About DePelchin Children’s Center
DePelchin Children’s Center is committed to meeting the needs of children as one of the largest providers of mental health, foster care and adoption services in Texas. Through its clinical expertise and special brand of caring, DePelchin turns lives around, providing a full continuum of care including psychiatric services, counseling, residential treatment, programs for at-risk youths, parent education, foster care and adoption. DePelchin is a not-for-profit organization and gratefully receives its support from individuals, foundations and corporations; government grants and fees; and United Way agencies.  Visit www.depelchin.org to learn more.

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