ST. LOUIS — One of the most successful law enforcement community trust-building programs received a big boost and is expanding thanks to a partnership between the Electrical Connection and Saint Louis FC. The Electrical Connection sponsored Saint Louis FC’s “Christmas in July” fundraiser at its July 30, 2016 soccer game to raise money for the Saint Francois County “Shop with a Cop” program. In addition, proceeds will be used to launch a “Shop with a Cop” program for the Ferguson, Mo. police department. The event raised more than $2,000 and included a special Saint Louis FC holiday ornament for the game at World Wide Technology Soccer Park in Fenton, Mo.

The pre-game ceremonies spotlighted “Shop with a Cop” and the Electrical Connection’s support in a video. The St. Francois County “Shop with a Cop” program was launched more than 23 years ago and has gradually grown to become the largest in the nation, serving up to 500 children annually. The program raises money so law enforcement can take disadvantaged children December holiday shopping to get gifts they would not otherwise receive.

In 1993, Danny Miller, owner of Farmington, Mo.-based Total Electric, introduced the Electrical Connection to the St. Francois County “Shop with a Cop” program. Since then, the Electrical Connection has donated a total of more than $54,000 to support the program. 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 Electrical Connection and IBEW/NECA have been steadfast supporters of ‘Shop with a Cop,’” said St. Francois County Sheriff Dan Bullock. “We are delighted they are expanding that support through their partnership with Saint Louis FC.”

The fundraiser also supported plans for a Ferguson “Shop with a Cop” program. “’Shop with a Cop’ has been extraordinarily successful in building trust in the communities that police serve,” said Jim Curran, executive vice president, Electrical Connection. “We strongly support law enforcement and wanted to leverage our Saint Louis FC partnership to help efforts to build stronger communities. ‘Shop with a Cop’ is just a natural fit for building trust with police in Ferguson, Mo.”

“Ferguson had some success with building a bond with the community in its ‘Cops and Kids’ program in 2014,” said Ferguson Police Chief Delrish Moss. “We strongly appreciate the Electrical Connection’s partnerhship with St. Louis FC to help us energize our community engagement with ‘Shop with a Cop’ this December.”

In 2015, the Electrical Connection helped sponsor the return of outdoor professional soccer to St. Louis with Saint Louis FC. "We have been impressed from the very beginning by the level of commitment that the Electrical Connection demonstrates to our community and their support of the 'shop with a cop' program is just one example of their generosity," said Kevin Wygant, Saint Louis FC director of corporate partnerships. "Saint Louis FC appreciates the opportunity to leverage our loyal fan base to help expand the program to the city of Ferguson in 2016."

Donations to “Shop with a Cop” at the gate earn Saint Louis FC fans the special holiday ornament. Donations are also possible online at www.saintlouisfc.com.