ST. LOUIS – More than 100 families served by the United States District Court Eastern District of Missouri, Probation Division received holiday gifts as the Electrical Connection again supported the division’s holiday gift giving program. And like last year, the event was hosted by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1 at its union hall at 5850 Elizabeth Ave.  IBEW Local 1 and St. Louis Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) partner to form the Electrical Connection.

Left to right, Electrical Connection Executive Vice president Jim Curran, Missouri State Senator Karla May, IBEW/NECA Director of Governmental Affairs Tim Green, Senior U.S. District Judge Richard Webber and Clark Porter, U.S. Probation Office.

“At the heart of what we do for the families we serve in the justice systems is stabilize and improve lives,” noted Lisa White, supervising U.S. probation officer.  “Part of that is brightening the holidays and we greatly appreciate the Electrical Connection’s hospitality and financial support to make that happen.”  In addition to hosting the event at IBEW’s union hall, the Electrical Connection also donated $2,500 to support the holiday gift giving program.

On Dec. 15, 2021, families pulled up in cars behind the union hall where free frozen turkeys, hams and other gifts were delivered with the help of the probation division and members of the Electrical Connection.

Missouri State Representative Kimberly-Ann Collins dropped by to help deliver gifts.

“It’s the fourth year that our IBEW/NECA partnership has supported the U.S. Probation Officers holiday giving program,” noted Jim Curran, executive vice president, Electrical Connection. “In addition to brightening the holidays, we also hope to ‘plant the seed’ that our partnership offers great career opportunities for all at the IBEW/NECA Electrical Industry Training Center next door.”

The holiday giving event is part of the U.S Probation Office’s Project Re-Direct an innovative approach to rehabilitation. It is an intense seven-month program led by Rebecca Bledsoe and Clark E. Porter, MSW, an ex-felon himself, who is now a program support specialist for United States District Court Eastern District of Missouri.   The program offers substance abuse treatment, community service, employment assistance, and support for ex-offenders to reduce recidivism and reorient their lives to give greater purpose beneficial to society.  Learn more about Porter and Project Re-Direct in this video.

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