Christmas in July: Electrical Connection partners with St. Louis FC to support ‘Shop with a Cop’ July 22

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 Football Club. The Electrical Connection is sponsoring Saint Louis FC’s “Christmas in July” fundraiser at its July 22 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 of the Electrical Connection labor-management partnership of 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 holiday shopping in December 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 Toyota 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 disadvantaged 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, donating $5,000.

The Ferguson “Shop with a Cop” program served more than 60 children last year. The St. Francois County “Shop with a Cop” program, one of the largest in the nation, served more than 500 children last year.

Members of the Electrical Connection provide safe and reliable electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across Missouri, the nation and the world. For more information visit electricalconnection.org.