By: Kim Diercks Chairman/President of Columbia Cares

Did you know that according to a recent study, the average Idahoan volunteers around 57.4 hours per year? This dedication to giving back positions Idaho in the top three states for hours of volunteerism served per person. Here at Columbia Bank, supporting our surrounding communities is at the forefront of all we do. This value has been reinforced by a legacy of leaders who truly inspired this call to action throughout our bank. In honor of our late CEO Melanie Dressel, we initiated a weeklong program, giving our entire team the opportunity to help the organizations they feel passionate about during Melanie Dressel Community Commitment Week.

Because the 2017’s inaugural Melanie Dressel Community Commitment Day resulted in over 2,200 volunteer hours served in 50 different cities across the Northwest, we’ve expanded this event into a weeklong celebration of our commitment to the community. This year we’ve set up partnerships and volunteer opportunities throughout our footprint to encourage our bankers to roll up their sleeves and get involved with great local organizations. We’ve created a short list of some of our favorite places to volunteer at and would love to partner with you and your spirit of generosity to serve our Idaho communities. We invite you to join us and continue your outstanding effort of supporting great Idaho organizations.

Post Falls Food Bank - Post Falls, Idaho.

Post Falls Food Bank’s mission is to provide relief from poverty and hunger to those in need through a united community effort. You can help support this effort in many ways by volunteering your time to be an onsite grocery rescue specialist who helps collect donated food, a guest specialist who offers friendship and community, or a food processing specialist who helps sort and prepare food for distribution. No matter how you choose to volunteer your time, even if for one hour, you can help make a positive difference in someone’s life at the Post Falls Food Bank.

New Plymouth Senior Citizen Center - New Plymouth, Idaho.

New Plymouth Senior Citizen Center offers independence, recreation and interaction to the senior citizens of the area. The center helps provide services and information along with opportunities for leisure and recreational activities. You can get involved by volunteering your time to visit with its patrons or help facilitate a recreational activity. By spending just a few hours here, you’ll help provide meaningful interaction to the community.

Priest River Animal Rescue - Priest River, Idaho.

Priest River Animal Rescue offers quality humane care, rehabilitation, adoption and education for animals and their companions in the Priest River community. Volunteer opportunities abound at the animal rescue. Head to their website to learn more about becoming a foster home for a four-legged friend in need, a dog walker or about other ways to volunteer your time at the rescue center.

Better Together Treasure Valley – Valley County, Idaho.

Better Together Treasure Valley believes communities are their strongest and best when people come together in support of them. This organization enhances the lives of local Idahoans through the power of collaboration as local community-minded companies work together to find and fund projects that have a lasting and meaningful impact on the area. Join forces with Better Together Treasure Valley by volunteering your time to support any one of the many projects these companies are doing around their communities.

Whether you live in Washington, Oregon or Idaho, we hope you’ll join us in partnering with some of these great Northwest organizations this season and beyond. Offering just a few hours of service to some of these organizations can make a lasting impact in your community!