Electrical Connection brings warmth with IBEW Minority Caucus Annual Coat Drive

200 Coats for Children Delivered to the Hazelwood School District

Bags and boxes of winter coats for children were delivered to the Hazelwood School District on Nov. 28 by the IBEW Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC) for its annual coat drive. In all, 200 coats were delivered to the school, part of more than 600 coats given away regionwide this year in the 19th year of the EWMC charitable endeavor.

The minority caucus is part of the Electrical Connection, a partnership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1 and the St. Louis Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

“We are always looking to bring a little extra warmth to those who live in the communities we serve,” said Sylvester Taylor, director of diversity, equity and inclusion for the Electrical Connection. “At the same, we hope we can inspire recipients of our coat drive to consider a career in the electrical trades and perhaps one day ‘pay it forward’ by participating in one of our many community improvement programs.”

The annual coat drive was launched in 2004 by Taylor. Since then, the caucus has given away more than 15,000 coats to families in need, 13,000 of them new coats.

‘GREATLY APPRECIATED’
“We serve many families throughout the Hazelwood School District,” said Dr. Nettie Collins-Hart, Hazelwood School District superintendent. “The hard work and generosity of the Electrical Connection and IBEW Electrical Workers Minority Caucus in its year-long coat drive is greatly appreciated and indicative of the supportive spirit in the Hazelwood School District Community.”

The Electrical Connection partnership will continue to distribute coats for children in need to various agencies throughout the winter.

TO DONATE
Taylor is already thinking ahead to 2024, which will mark the 20th year of the program. If you would like to support the coat drive, EWMC is looking for new coats or used coats in good condition that are appropriate for children up to the age of 18. You can drop off coats at the IBEW Local 1 union hall in St. Louis or you can send a donation to: IBEW Electrical Workers Minority Caucus, C/O Sylvester Taylor, 5850 Elizabeth Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 63110. Please make the check payable to “EWMC Coat Drive.”