Labor-Management Group Boosts Annual Donation to $190,000 to Wire 27 Homes and Employ Out-of-Work Union Electricians

ST. LOUIS - With a 50 percent increase in its annual donation, The Electrical Connection has made this year's Habitat for Humanity St. Louis house building blitz the most successful ever - not only for disadvantaged families, but for out-of-work union electricians. The labor-management organization donated $190,000 in material and services to safely wire a record 27 Habitat homes. House-building this year began in June and wrapped-up in early December. Families received keys to the new homes at a ceremony December 6, 2008.

"It has been a rough year for many area families, so we increased our commitment to help Habitat build more homes and provide full-time pay and fringe benefits to jobless union electricians," said Douglas R. Martin, executive vice president of the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). St. Louis Chapter NECA partners with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local One to form the Electrical Connection.

The homes are located in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood of North St. Louis, most of them on Sheridan Avenue and Thomas Street. All are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified - a first for Habitat for Humanity St. Louis. .

"The slumping economy has put many electricians out of work," added Steve Schoemehl, IBEW Local One business manager. "In our fifth year partnering with Habitat, we are delighted to have provided work for 50-plus electricians while bringing 27 disadvantaged families home just in time for the holidays."

Since 2004, the Electrical Connection has donated more than $500,000 to wire more than 140 Habitat homes.

Participating union electrical contractors included: Dickherber Electric, Inc., J. Bathe Electric Co., M.R. Bathe Electric, Northwest Electric Co., Inc., Superb Electric, L.C., Schaeffer Electric Co., Inc. and Wentzel Electric.

The Electrical Connection has also donated services to Rebuilding Together to improve homes for low-income, elderly persons in the area, and for 12 years has donated skills and material in support of St. Louis City's "National Night Out" anti-crime program. Find out more at www.electricalconnection.org.

Editor's Note: The Electrical Connection makes its offices at 5735 Elizabeth in South St. Louis, Mo. (63110).

Dickherber Electrical, Inc. is located at 1708 S. 5^thStreet in St. Charles, Mo. (63303).

J. Bathe Electric Co. is located at 71 Triad South Drive in St. Charles, Mo. (63304).

M.R. Bathe Electric is located at 1023 Cool Springs Industrial Drive in O'Fallon, Mo. (63366).

Northwest Electric Co., Inc. is located at 11672 Gravois Road in St. Louis, Mo. (63126).

Superb Electric, L.C. is located at 415 Riverview Lane in St. Charles, Mo. (63301).

Schaeffer Electric Co., Inc. is located at 4667 Green Park Road in Green Park, Mo. (63123).

Wentzel Electric is located at 5645 Carlton Drive in High Ridge, Mo. (63049).

(from left) Courtney S., Pandora C. and Tiffani T., recipients of a new home from Habitat for Humanity St. Louis, stand with Matt Lampe of the Electrical Connection and Consuelo C., Kesha M., Sherrell B., Melissa B. and Roxanna M., also home recipients, at the dedication ceremony for eight new homes on Saturday, December 6, 2008.