First Interstate Bank to Host Ninth Annual Volunteer Day

On Wednesday, September 16, First Interstate will mark its ninth annual Volunteer Day by closing every branch bank-wide at noon, giving thousands of employees paid time to volunteer for the remainder of the workday. Employees will participate in nearly 400 community service projects across 10 states.

Across Bend and Redmond, 100 local employees will volunteer across 13 service projects for a variety of nonprofits. A few of these projects include:

Litter and garbage removal and pulling non-native plant species in the Deschutes in partnership with the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council. The Council has worked over the past 25 years to protect and restore the two-million-acre upper Deschutes River watershed through collective projects like habitat restoration, long-term monitoring and watershed education.
Helping stage materials, installing bike racks and complete exterior landscaping work at the Heart of Oregon Corps campus in Redmond ahead of the organization’s Endless Summer Nights Fundraiser. Heart of Oregon Corps empowers youth and young adults to transform their lives and communities by offering employment, job training, education, community service and workforce development opportunities.
Knitting and sewing blankets for families and children in Central Oregon at HeartWarmers. The long-standing Bend non-profit makes blankets, stuffed toys and more as gifts for individuals experiencing homelessness, sick children in hospitals and senior citizens in need.
Creating a custom wooden display for the signature fundraising event, Diamonds & Dust Gala at Healing Reins. Healing Reins is a nonprofit that empowers Oregonians of varying abilities through equine assisted services and therapeutic nature-based activities.
Making blankets for patients in the St. Charles Health System cancer center and birthing center in Redmond.

Volunteer Day began in 2018 as part of First Interstate’s 50th anniversary celebration and has become a cornerstone of the Bank’s community engagement efforts. “Volunteer Day is one of the many ways we invest in the communities that support us every day,” said Jim Reuter, President and CEO of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. “By stepping outside the workplace and into our neighborhoods, our employees build meaningful connections and help make a difference where it matters most.”

Volunteer day will be held in communities across Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming.

This story is based on submitted information and has not been verified by our news team.