ST. LOUIS — For the second year in a row, one of the most successful law enforcement community trust-building programs is receiving a big boost from a partnership between the Electrical Connection and Saint Louis FC. The Electrical Connection is sponsoring Saint Louis FC’s “Christmas in July” fundraiser at its July 22, 2017 soccer game to raise money for the Saint Francois County and Ferguson “Shop with a Cop” programs.

“We’re hoping to build on the momentum of last year’s fundraiser to encourage more people, businesses and civic organizations to support this great law enforcement trust building program,” said Jim Curran, executive vice president, Electrical Connection. 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).

Shop with a Cop raises money so law enforcement can take disadvantaged children December holiday shopping for gifts they would not otherwise receive. The “Christmas in July” fundraiser will celebrate both programs at the Saint Louis FC soccer game against the Louisville City FC at West Community Stadium in Fenton, Mo. Pre-game ceremonies will spotlight the history of “Shop with a Cop,” which is celebrating its 25th anniversary in St. Francois County this year. Fans will receive a limited edition 2017 holiday ornament commemorating the event for a donation.

“Our partnership with the Electrical Connection has allowed Saint Louis FC to expand its outreach through programs like ‘Shop with a Cop’ that bind a community,” said Patrick Barry, president, Saint Louis FC. “Last December, we attended both ‘Shop with a Cop’ events in St. Francois County and Ferguson and saw law enforcement connect with disadvantage children in extraordinary ways to brighten the holidays.”

The Electrical Connection has supported the St. Francois County program since 1993 donating a total of more than $59,000. It expanded its “Shop with a Cop” support last year to reenergize the program in Ferguson, Mo., donating $5,000.

“We greatly appreciate how the Electrical Connection and Saint Louis FC are leveraging their partnership again to support our program,” said Ferguson Police Chief Delrish Moss. “It was incredible to see the look on the children’s faces as we presented them with gifts for the holidays last year.”

The newly energized Ferguson “Shop with a Cop” program served more than 60 children last year. Over the past 25 years, the St. Francois County “Shop with a Cop” program has gradually become one of the largest in the nation, serving more than 500 children last year.

“We are grateful that the Electrical Connection through its partnership with Saint Louis FC is going to ensure the success of our 25th year of serving children through ‘Shop with a Cop,’” said St. Francois County Sheriff Dan Bullock.