ST. LOUIS – M.C. Thomas, a 71-year-old veteran in North St. Louis County, encountered what countless have on limited income – an older home with a vexing electrical issue. In this case it was a faulty circuit that impacted a ceiling fan and his kitchen countertop. He sought the help of a so-called handyman, who failed to fix it and left him in the lurch.

“My ceiling fan would work and then stop working and eventually just stopped working altogether,” said Thomas. Through the Veterans Administration, the former army cook and paratrooper found Rebuilding Together St. Louis and ultimately the IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection, which repaired his electrical issue free of charge.

“I am so grateful and it just proves what I’ve always believed that there is more good in this world than bad,” said Thomas.

He was just one of many.

For the 23rd year, the IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection partnership again marshaled its workforce to make free home repairs and improvements in St. Louis for older adults, veterans and individuals with disabilities. It is all part of an enduring partnership with Rebuilding Together St. Louis.  Skilled IBEW Local 1 electricians evaluated electrical infrastructure needs in 19 homes including several owned by veterans of the armed services. On April 18, 2026, about 100 volunteers were dispatched to make numerous improvements and fix electrical hazards in the homes. The effort is supported by International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local No. 1 and the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) which unites to form the Electrical Connection.

“IBEW/NECA skills are invaluable in helping identify needs and installing electrical wiring and fixtures that comply with safety codes,” said Elaine Powers, Executive Director, Rebuilding Together St. Louis.  “The homeowners we serve have the peace of mind knowing that electrical repairs and improvements are performed correctly by the IBEW/NECA team.”

The volunteer effort began with breakfast at the IBEW Local Union Hall and planning the day’s work.  St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer addressed the workforce before scores of IBEW electricians and 19 NECA and IBEW-signatory contractors fanned out from the union hall to make the repairs.  KTVI Fox 2 covered the repair blitz.

“Our IBEW Local 1 men and women give up a Saturday every spring to help the less fortunate,” noted Frank Jacobs, business manager, IBEW Local 1. “As the first electrical industry union in the nation, we have had the privilege of serving St. Louis for more than 135 years. So, we are very much invested in strengthening our neighborhoods though volunteer efforts like Rebuilding Together.”

Kyle McKenna, executive vice president, St. Louis Chapter NECA notes that many of the issues encountered by the IBEW/NECA workforce are shock and fire hazards. “We find exposed wires hidden behind walls, overtaxed circuits and circuit panels, some improperly installed by an amateur. Our volunteers are dedicated to ensuring all installations are skillfully delivered and in compliance with the National Electrical Code.”  The IBEW/NECA partnership also installed new lighting, ceiling fans and other fixtures, helping to improve safety and security.

Since 2003, the Electrical Connection has donated more than $2.3 million in labor and materials to improve more than 620 homes for low-income, disabled, and elderly St. Louisans.  In 2024, the St. Louis Business Journal saluted the IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection with an Innovation in Philanthropy Award. 

The Electrical Connection represents the largest number of licensed commercial and residential electrical contractors and skilled electricians in the region with a searchable data base at www.electricalconnection.org.

Electrical Connection, NECA and IBEW signatory contractors who donated service trucks and tools in the Rebuilding Together effort this year included:

For more than 30 years Rebuilding Together St. Louis has provided free home repair to low income homeowners, including older adults and veterans, so they may remain safe and comfortable in their own homes. Since its founding, the organization has rehabbed more than 4,500 homes; 70 community spaces and touched more than 57,000 lives. For more information visit www.RebuildingTogether-STL.org or call 314-918-9918.

Members of the Electrical Connection provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across Missouri, the nation and the world.  Find a contractor near you in the Electrical Connection contractor database.