Shop with a Cop

Electrical Connection Supports Rural and Urban “Shop with a Cop” Programs

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Donates a Total of $10,000 to St. Francois County And Ferguson Law Enforcement Holiday Giving Programs 

For the 26th year the Electrical Connection is a major supporter of the law enforcement community trust building program “Shop with a Cop.”  The labor-management partnership is contributing $5,000 each to St. Francois County “Shop with a Cop” and Ferguson “Shop with a Cop.” The Electrical Connection is a partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1 and the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).  This year’s donation raises the Electrical Connection’s 26-year commitment to “Shop with a Cop” to more than $75,000.

The St. Francois County “Shop with a Cop” program is among the oldest and largest in the nation.  This year, it served more than 500 children on Dec. 18, 2018 when law enforcement throughout the state came to the Farmington, Mo. Wal-Mart to buy children holiday gifts they would not otherwise receive.  The following day, on Dec. 19, 2018, the Ferguson police department hosted its “Shop with a Cop” program at the Ferguson Community Center at 1050 Smith Ave., serving more than 30 children. Gifts at the Ferguson event were purchased at Target. The Electrical Connection has supported the Ferguson “Shop with a Cop” for the past three years.

The Electrical Connection was joined by Saint Louis FC at both “Shop with a Cop” events.

Members of the Electrical Connection provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across Missouri, the nation and the world.  For more information visit www.electricalconnection.org.

Electrical Connection & Saint Louis FC Continue Fundraiser for “Shop with a Cop”

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The Electrical Connection and Saint Louis FC partnership to raise funds for two holiday season “Shop with a Cop” programs will continue for the rest of the year.  A series of thunderstorms suspended the July 14, 2018 game to benefit the law enforcement trust building programs in Ferguson and St. Francois County.  That didn’t dampen the celebration of the programs or the fundraising.  See the St. Louis Post-Dispatch story on the game and the celebration.  The suspended game will resume on Oct. 10, 2018.

Before the bad weather moved in, pre-game ceremonies featured a “Shop with a Cop” video and introduced law enforcement officials from Ferguson and St. Francois County along with the Electrical Connection leadership which has supported “Shop with a Cop” for more 25 years. Fans received a limited edition 2018 holiday ornament commemorating the event for a donation.  Nearly $400 was raised during the weather dampened game.  The Electrical Connection is a labor-management partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1 and the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

The special edition ornament is available on the Saint Louis FC Fan Shop website at www.shop.saintlouisfc.com and will also be offered at the rescheduled Oct. 10, 2018 game and an August 4, 2018 game saluting unions.  In addition, fans will be educated about both charitable programs at the Saint Louis FC Fan Shop.

‘Shop with a Cop’ raises money so law enforcement can take children December holiday shopping for gifts they would not otherwise receive.  St. Francois County celebrated the 25th anniversary of its “Shop with a Cop” program last year.  It is one of the largest in the country, serving more than 500 children. Electrical Connection members have supported that program since its inception.  In 2016, the Electrical Connection helped re-energize the Ferguson “Shop with a Cop” program by initiating the Saint Louis FC “Christmas in July” fundraiser.  The Electrical Connection partnered with Saint Louis FC to initiate Saint Louis FC “Christmas in July” fundraiser in 2016.  The Electrical Connection has donated nearly $75,000 over the years to support both since 1993.

Members of the Electrical Connection provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across Missouri, the nation and the world.  For more information visit www.electricalconnection.org.

Electrical Connection & Saint Louis FC Host Fundraiser for Shop with a Cop

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Ferguson and St. Francois County “Shop with a Cop” Programs to Benefit

Fundraising for two holiday season “Shop with a Cop” programs will get a big boost at the July 14, 2018 Saint Louis FC soccer game in Fenton, Mo.  The Electrical Connection is again partnering with Saint Louis FC to host a Christmas in July fundraiser at the game for “Shop with a Cop” programs in Ferguson, Mo. and St. Francois County.    The Electrical Connection is a labor-management partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1 and the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

Shop with a Cop raises money so law enforcement can take under privileged children December holiday shopping for gifts they would not otherwise receive.  St. Francois County celebrated the 25th anniversary of its “Shop with a Cop” program last year.  It is one of the largest in the country, serving more than 500 children. Electrical Connection members have supported that program since its inception.  In 2016, the Electrical Connection helped re-energize the Ferguson “Shop with a Cop” program by initiating the Saint Louis FC “Christmas in July” fundraiser.  The Electrical Connection has donated nearly $75,000 over the years to support both programs.

The Electrical Connection and Saint Louis FC will celebrate both programs at the July 14, 2018 Saturday night soccer game against the Tulsa Roughnecks FC at Toyota Stadium in Fenton, Mo.  Pre-game ceremonies will spotlight both “Shop with a Cop” programs and fans will receive a limited edition 2018 holiday ornament commemorating the event for a donation.   Representatives from the Ferguson and St. Francois County programs will be in attendance.

Members of the Electrical Connection provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across Missouri, the nation and the world.  For more information visit www.electricalconnection.org.

Electrical Connection Helps “Shop with a Cop” Programs Grow

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Donates a Total of $10,000 to St. Francois County & Ferguson, Mo Law Enforcement Holiday Giving Programs 

Farmington police officer Jeff Kostedt paid it forward through a law enforcement trust building program that turned his life around when he was a child. On Dec. 15, 2017 Kostedt helped brighten the holidays for underpriveleged children in the 25th annual St. Francois County “Shop with a Cop” program – a charity that served him 18 years ago when he was just seven years old.  Kostedt and countless children from families in need are the reason the Electrical Connection has supported St. Francois County’s “Shop with a Cop” and helped re-energize a similar program in Ferguson, Mo.

As a child growing up in rural St. Francois County, Kostedt said his parents didn’t have the means to buy Christmas gifts.  His life was such that he was afraid of the police. “I always thought they were going to take me away from my family,” said Kostedt.  That changed in 1999 when he was selected along with dozens of disadvantaged children to participate in the St. Francois County “Shop with a Cop” holiday giving program.

“Jeff is an extraordinary example of how a community can work together to build trust and make a real difference in lives,” said Danny Miller, president of Farmington-based Total Electric.  It was Miller who first engaged the Electrical Connection to support “Shop with a Cop” in 1993.  The Electrical Connection is a partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1 and the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

The St. Francois County “Shop with a Cop” program is among the oldest and largest in the nation.  This years, it served more than 500 children.  Over the past 25 years, the St. Francois County program has been supported by donations from business and civic organizations, including more than $65,000 from the Electrical Connection.  The program pairs police with children to buy holiday gifts with donated funds.

“When Danny Miller brought the program to our attention 25 years ago, we never dreamed it would grow into this incredible act of kindness every year serving hundreds of children,” said Doug Martin, CEO St. Louis NECA. “’Shop with a Cop’ has been such a difference maker that can build trust in other communities.”

Last year, the Electrical Connection expanded its support, putting its partnership with Saint Louis FC to work with a fundraiser to support the St. Francois County program and reenergize the Ferguson, Mo. “Shop with a Cop” program.  The fundraiser was held again this year.  The Ferguson “Shop with a Cop” program was on December 13, 2017 at the Ferguson Community Center.  The Electrical Connection donated $5,000 each to the Ferguson and St. Francois County programs.

“Our electricians and communication technicians not only serve these communities, but live in them as well,” said Frank Jacobs, business manager, IBEW Local 1.  “They are committed to helping our neighbors in need year round.”

“We are grateful the Electrical Connection helped us again brighten the holidays for disadvantaged children in our community,” said Ferguson Police Chief Delrish Moss.  St. Francois County Sheriff Dan Bullock echoed those sentiments.  “The Electrical Connection’s enduring commitment to our program has helped it grow into one of the largest in the nation,” said Bullock.

“Our Electrical Connection partnerships are more than just business development,” said Jim Curran, executive vice president, Electrical Connection. “We actively listen to our partners to help them find worthy civic engagements that align with their mission.  Such was the case with Saint Louis FC and ‘Shop with a Cop.’” The Electrical Connection was joined by Saint Louis FC at both “Shop with a Cop” events, distributing jerseys and soccer balls to the children.

Members of the Electrical Connection provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across Missouri, the nation and the world.  For more information visit www.electricalconnection.org.

 

Electrical Connection Partners with Saint Louis FC To Support “Shop with a Cop” on July 22, 2017

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“Christmas in July” Game Raises Money to Support St. Francois County and Ferguson, Mo. “Shop with a Cop” 

For the second year in a row, one of the most successful law enforcement community trust-building programs is receiving a big boost from a partnership between the Electrical Connection and Saint Louis FC.   The Electrical Connection is sponsoring Saint Louis FC’s “Christmas in July” fundraiser at its July 22, 2017 soccer game to raise money for the Saint Francois County and Ferguson “Shop with a Cop” programs.

“We’re hoping to build on the momentum of last year’s fundraiser to encourage more people, businesses and civic organizations to support this great law enforcement trust building program,” said Jim Curran, executive vice president, Electrical Connection.  The Electrical Connection is a labor-management partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1 and the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

Shop with a Cop raises money so law enforcement can take disadvantaged children December holiday shopping for gifts they would not otherwise receive.  The “Christmas in July” fundraiser will celebrate both programs at the Saint Louis FC soccer game against the Louisville City FC at Toyota Stadium in Fenton, Mo.  Pre-game ceremonies will spotlight the history of “Shop with a Cop,” which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in St. Francois County this year.  Fans will receive a limited edition 2017 holiday ornament commemorating the event for a donation.

“Our partnership with the Electrical Connection has allowed Saint Louis FC to expand its outreach through programs like ‘Shop with a Cop’ that bind a community,” said Patrick Barry, president, Saint Louis FC.  “Last December, we attended both ‘Shop with a Cop’ events in St. Francois County and Ferguson and saw law enforcement connect with disadvantage children in extraordinary ways to brighten the holidays.”

The Electrical Connection has supported the St. Francois County program since 1993 donating a total of more than $59,000.  It expanded its “Shop with a Cop” support last year to reenergize the program in Ferguson, Mo., donating $5,000.

            “We greatly appreciate how the Electrical Connection and Saint Louis FC are leveraging their partnership again to support our program,” said Ferguson Police Chief Delrish Moss.  “It was incredible to see the look on the children’s faces as we presented them with gifts for the holidays last year.”

The newly energized Ferguson “Shop with a Cop” program served more than 60 children last year.   Over the past 25 years, the St. Francois County “Shop with a Cop” program has gradually become one of the largest in the nation, serving more than 500 children last year.

“We are grateful that the Electrical Connection through its partnership with Saint Louis FC is going to ensure the success of our 25th year of serving children through ‘Shop with a Cop,’” said St. Francois County Sheriff Dan Bullock.

Members of the Electrical Connection provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across Missouri, the nation and the world.  For more information visit www.electricalconnection.org.

Electrical Connection Unites Rural & Urban Community Building through “Shop with a Cop”

 

 

The Electrical Connection united rural and urban community building through a highly successful holiday charity program. Earlier this year, the labor-management partnership teamed with St. Louis FC to expand its support of the St. Francois County “Shop with a Cop” program and energize a similar program in Ferguson, Mo. Both communities held “Shop with a Cop” holiday giving programs on December 15, 2016 thanks to $5,000 donations to each program from the Electrical Connection.

“Shop with a Cop” is one of the most successful law enforcement community trust-building programs.  It raises money so law enforcement can take disadvantaged children December holiday shopping to get gifts they would not otherwise receive.  Since 1993, the Electrical Connection has donated more than $60,000 to the Saint Francois County “Shop with Cop,” which serves 500 children annually. The Electrical Connection a partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1 and the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

“The Electrical Connection’s commitment to our ‘Shop with a Cop’ program has helped it become the largest in the country,” said St. Francois County Sherriff Dan Bullock.  “And we are pleased they are using their partnership with Saint Louis FC to not only further support of our program, but to expand it to Ferguson, Mo.”

“’Shop with a Cop’ has been extraordinarily successful in building a bond with the community,” said Ferguson Police Chief Delrish Moss.  “We are grateful the Electrical Connection’s partnership with St. Louis FC is helping us energize our community engagement with ‘Shop with a Cop’ this December.”

The Electrical Connection’s expanded its outreach for “Shop with a Cop” last summer when it introduced and sponsored Saint Louis FC’s “Christmas in July” fundraiser at its July 30, 2016 soccer game.  The more than $3,300 raised supported not only the St. Francois County “Shop with a Cop” program, but helped the Ferguson police department expand its “Shop with a Cop” program.

“The strength of our union and electrical contracting partners is our outreach to strengthen Missouri’s urban and rural areas,” said Frank Jacobs, business manager, IBEW Local 1.  “For more than 70 years, our industry-funded apprenticeship program has trained urban and rural residents, free of charge and at no taxpayer expense, to meet the state’s next generation electrical needs.  There’s no better value in workforce development.  Likewise, we’ve committed our charitable endeavors to strengthen urban and rural communities from which we recruit our workforce and build our projects.”

This year alone, the IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection partnership has supported urban programs like Rebuilding Together and Habitat for Humanity and rural programs like “Shop with a Cop” and the flood recovery of Ride on St. Louis (ROSL), an equine assisted therapy program in Kimmswick, Mo.  It is also a significant supporter of STEM education in rural and urban school districts.

“For Missouri to prosper, the rural and urban areas we serve must be part of our outreach to strengthen education, workforce development and community vitality,” said Douglas R. Martin, executive vice president of the St. Louis Chapter, NECA.

“The Electrical Connection leadership has a long and proud tradition of giving back to the communities in which we live, work and serve. It is second nature to us to reach out to our partners and work together to build strong and positive relationships,” said Jim Curran, executive vice president, Electrical Connection.

The St. Francois County and Ferguson “Shop with a Cop” events on Dec. 15, 2016, included representatives from Saint Louis FC giving away soccer balls to kids.

Members of the Electrical Connection provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across Missouri, the nation and the world.  For more information visit www.electricalconnection.org.