Electrical Workers Minority Caucus delivers coats to Hazelwood School District students

Now in its 18th year, the IBEW Electrical Workers Minority Caucus’ (EWMC) coat drive continues to work with organizations to bring warmth to families in need. On Dec 6, members of the caucus delivered 60 coats for children to the Hazelwood School District.

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).

“While our primary goal is to bring a little more winter comfort to children in need, we also hope to ‘plant the seed’ of career opportunities in the electrical trade,” said Sylvester Taylor, Electrical Connection director of diversity, equity and inclusion. “We hope to make an enduring difference in the communities we serve and inspire students to be difference makers themselves.”

STARTED IN 2004
Taylor launched the coat drive in 2004. Since then, the IBEW Minority Caucus has given away 15,000 coats to families in need, 12,000 of them new coats.

“The district is grateful for the unwavering support and generosity of the IBEW Electrical Workers Minority Caucus and the Electrical Connection,” said Dr. Nettie Collins-Hart, Hazelwood School District superintendent. “This donation will have a lasting impact for the students that we serve.”

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

HOW YOU CAN HELP
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 at 5850 Elizabeth Ave. 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. Make checks payable to “EWMC Coat Drive.”

The Electrical Connection partnership provides safe and reliable commercial, industrial and residential electrical construction, maintenance, repair and replacement services across Missouri, the nation and the world. It is an important resource for business and civic leadership for new technology, including disruptive technologies, advancing electrical and communication infrastructure. Learn more at www.electricalconnection.org.