FARMINGTON, MO. — The nation’s largest “Shop with a Cop” program is set to brighten the holidays on Dec. 17, 2015 for 500 disadvantaged children in St. Francois County, Mo. thanks in part to continued support from the Electrical Connection. Officers with the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department and other police agencies will lead children on a day of holiday gift shopping using community donations, including $3,000 from the Electrical Connection, a partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local One and the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). In its 23-year-long commitment to “Shop with a Cop,” the Electrical Connection and its members have donated more than $54,000 to the program.

“We appreciate the Electrical Connection’s enduring support for ‘Shop with a Cop,’” said St. Francois County Sherriff Dan Bullock. “The quality of IBEW/NECA’s work in our community is not only found in the electrical and communication services it provides, but in its commitment to make our community stronger by helping the less fortunate.”

“Shop with a Cop” is sponsored by the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Association and for 23 years has brought holiday cheer to thousands of children in low-income families. “It’s all about law enforcement giving back to the communities it serves,” said Danny Miller, owner of Farmington-based Total Electric, a member of the Electrical Connection. “I’ve seen the faces of these children light up on the shopping excursions. The officers sometimes add a little extra by donating money from their own pockets.”

“The value of ‘Shop with a Cop’ is more than just brightening the holidays,” notes Doug Martin, executive vice president, St. Louis Chapter, NECA. “Just by engaging these children with this wonderful act of kindness, they learn that police officers and law enforcement are someone they can trust in a time of need.”

In addition to Shop with a Cop, the Electrical Connection has helped communities in other ways including support for Rebuilding Together, Habitat for Humanity, National Night Out and other programs.

“’Shop with a Cop’ is a pretty amazing program and one we are proud to continue serving,” noted Frank Jacobs, IBEW Local One business manager. “Many of our members live in St. Francois County and surrounding counties and understand how hard it is for low income families, especially around the holidays. We want to help any way we can.”

“Shop with a Cop” continues to accept donations to programs. Donations made out to “Shop with a Cop” can be sent to:

St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department

1550 Doubet Road

Farmington, Mo. 63640

For more information visit the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Association or call 573-431-2777 and ask for Lora Henson.

Members of the Electrical Connection provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across eastern Missouri. More is online at www.electricalconnection.org.