ST. LOUIS, MO. — Nearly two dozen low income families, many of whom were living in homes with hidden electrical dangers, are resting easier now thanks to the IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection partnership. More than 100 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local One electricians teamed with more than 20 electrical contractor members of the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) to donate services to repair 23 low income homes. It was the 12th consecutive year that the Electrical Connection partnership volunteered in the annual Rebuilding Together home repair campaign. Since 2003, the IBEW/NECA partnership has supported Rebuilding Together by donating more than $750,000 in labor and material to improve more than 425 homes for low-income, disabled and elderly St. Louisans.

“Rebuilding Together is a reminder every year to all residents that electrical improvements should be left to professionals who follow the National Electrical Code,” noted Douglas R. Martin, executive vice president of the St. Louis Chapter, NECA. “Many of these low-income families were living in homes with ‘quick fixes’ made by unlicensed and unskilled contractors that created hidden electrical dangers. IBEW/NECA corrected the electrical issues and also safely and correctly installed ceiling fans, lighting and other electrical needs, all free of charge. “

Dave Roth, business representative and treasurer for IBEW Local One, orchestrated the volunteer initiative on Saturday, May 2, 2015.

Participating electrical contractors, who donated 25 service trucks and tools, included:

• AmericanElectric and Data
• J. Bathe Electric Co.
• MR Bathe Electric
• Bell Electrical Contractors
• Branson Electric Co.
• BRK Electrical Contractors
• Concept Electric Services
• Electric Limited
• Fusion Electric
• Grasser Electric
• Guarantee Electric Co.
• Hanenkamp Electric
• Jag Electric
• Kaemmerlen Electric
• Kaiser Electric
• Kay Bee Electric
• Northwest Electric Co.
• Pioneer Electric
• RJP Electric
• Sachs Electric Co.
• Sanderson Electric
• Schaeffer Electric Co., Inc.
• Summit Electric

“It’s always a team effort and one in which we are extreme proud to participate,” said Frank Jacobs, business manager, IBEW Local One. “It’s highly gratifying to see our workforce improve the quality of life for low income families by ensuring their homes are electrically safe.”

Members of the Electrical Connection provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across Missouri, the nation and the world.