Nothing impacts Powell River as much as the devotion and resilience of its volunteers, a sentiment constantly reinforced by the actions of individuals and organizations.
On Thursday, June 22, all 82 First Credit Union and Insurance employees who work in Powell River will spread throughout the city and area to volunteer for the organization’s annual Community Impact Day.
“We close our branches early at 2 pm, and that includes First Credit Union, First Insurance and Westview Agencies, and we go out into the community and volunteer for community initiatives and non-profit organizations,” said marketing and community impact manager Tara Chernoff.
The financial institution stays active and involved in the community through scholarships, donations and sponsorships. Chernoff said Community Impact Day was added in 2015 to also make a meaningful impact through volunteerism.
“We really wanted to give back by actually physically lending a hand,” she said.
Mutual funds representative and life insurance agent Randall Smisko said he will spend the afternoon at BC SPCA Powell River and District Branch doing work to give shelter dogs more room to run around. Community Impact Day is rewarding due to the fast pace of his personal and professional life, which limits opportunities to give back, he added.
“It’s amazing for a guy who has two young children and finds life very busy,” said Smisko. “For my employer to let me do this on my work time and continue to pay me is an amazing thing. I can have the feeling of giving back to the community I love to call home.”
According to Chernoff, the credit union’s vision includes inviting more local groups to participate and volunteer.
“Wouldn’t it be great if we had a bunch of organizations or businesses join us in the spirit of the day?” she said.
Powell River Child, Youth and Family Services Society approached the credit union to do that very thing this year, said Chernoff.
The society’s staff will volunteer for about three hours with Kiwanis Club of Powell River to help organize its annual book sale, a major fundraiser for that organization.
“We benefit from the help and support other organizations give to us,” said society executive director Heather Gordon. “It feels good to give back to them.”
Community Impact Day is not entirely about giving back, according to Smisko. Employees receive something in return they would not otherwise find in the professional workplace: a sense of morale and team building.
“This gets us outside, gets our hands a little dirty and gets us talking to someone on a different level instead of talking about work,” he said. “You get to know your co-workers better as well, which is great, and everyone is upbeat, spirits are good and everybody has a good time.”
First Credit Union staff members will also help out at Evergreen Care Unit, Willingdon Creek Village, Powell River Therapeutic Riding, Powell River and District United Way, Powell River Family Place, Powell River Orphaned Wildlife Society, Community Resource Centre and On the Road with Children’s Activities (ORCA Bus).
