ST. LOUIS – The IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection’s 29^th year of support for the St. Francois County “Shop with a Cop” has attained $100,000 in total donations.  The year also marks the end of 32 years of service by St. Francois County Sheriff Dan Bullock, who co-founded the charity event with the late St. Francois County Sargeant George Cobb and Rodney Harris.   The St. Francois County “Shop with a Cop” program has since become one of the largest in the nation.  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).  Both Channel 5 and Channel 4 covered the event.

The IBEW/NECA partnership again donated $5,000 to the law enforcement holiday giving program serving more than 500 children.  The donation helps law enforcement and first responders take children holiday shopping for gifts they would not otherwise receive.

Left to right, Tim Green, executive vice president, Electrical Connection; Lee Ascher, IBEW Local 1 business representative; St. Francois County Sheriff Dan Bullock; Total Electric COO Danny Miller; Missouri State Senator Mike Henderson; and St. Francois County Shop with a Cop Coordinator Lora Henson. 

“Dan, George and Rodney's vision is now an enduring law enforcement trust-building program that brightens the holidays for local children,” noted Danny Miller, COO of Total Electric, a NECA contractor.  “It has been an amazing success.”  Miller’s company has supported the program since its inception in 1992.  He engaged the St. Louis-based Electrical Connection to support the program in 1995.

“Our members, who deliver projects throughout Eastern Missouri, saw the value in this community program that helps families in need,” noted Frank Jacobs, business manager, IBEW Local 1. “It is such a great concept and has been so well orchestrated as a neighbor helping neighbor program.”

Total Electric COO Danny Miller being interview by Channel 4

On the morning of December 17, 2024, the first of 15 busses of children pulled up at the Wal-Mart in Farmington, Mo. where law enforcement and first responders from throughout the state were paired with children to shop for gifts.

“The hallmark of our contractors is not just proficient engineering and project management, but also community support,” said Kyle McKenna, executive vice president, St. Louis Chapter NECA. “’Shop with a Cop’ has made an indelible impression for 32 years on children and their families in St. Francois County and we are proud to support it.”

The IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection partnership represents more than 130 IBEW-signatory electrical contractors and more than 5,000 highly skilled IBEW electricians and communication technicians.  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.