ST. LOUIS – Sometimes all a charitable idea needs is small act of generosity and connections to energize growth. So it was with Danny Miller and his Farmington-based Total Electric. In 1992, Miller made Total Electric’s first donation to the then nascent St. Francois County “Shop with a Cop.” He also realized it had greater possibilities if he could connect the charitable endeavor with the Electrical Connection, a partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1 and the St. Louis Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association. This year, the IBEW/NECA partnership’s $5,000 donation brings its 30 years of supporting the program to $105,000.

“The Electrical Connection was formed to market the skills of its IBEW/NECA membership,” noted Miller. “While based in St. Louis, its reach is throughout Eastern Missouri and many of its members live in and serve rural areas like St. Francois County. Supporting “Shop with a Cop” was a natural extension of that service in a way that helps our neighbors.”

Left to right, Lee Asher, IBEW Local 1 business representative; Lora Henson, St. Francois County “Shop with a Cop” coordinator; St. Francois County Sheriff Jeffrey Crites; and Danny Miller, COO, Total Electric.

The St. Francois County “Shop with a Cop” has grown to become one of the largest in the country, serving more than 500 children. “We are grateful to the 30 years of support by the IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection and Danny Miller’s efforts to broaden support for our Shop with a Cop program,” said Jefferson County Sheriff Jeffrey Crites.

Donation helps law enforcement and first responders take children holiday shopping for gifts they would not otherwise receive.   On the morning of December 16, 2025, 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 event drew coverage from KMOV-TV.

“This is a great cause and as a labor organization we look to help others.” noted Frank Jacobs, business manager, IBEW Local 1. “Not only does it help brighten the holidays for families in need, but it is a great law enforcement trust building program.”

“Thirty years ago, Danny Miller saw a community need and stepped up as a NECA contractor,” said Kyle McKenna, executive vice president, St. Louis Chapter NECA. “Our contractors continue that same tradition today by engaging the Electrical Connection partnership when they see a need our industry can help meet at times that matter most for families.”

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.