First Western Bank & Trust (FWBT) has partnered with local charities, non-profits, and other organizations to improve each community they serve during its third Annual Volunteer Days, Oct. 4-15.

Over 600 hours of volunteering are donated each year by FWBT employees. This volunteer event is in memory of founder J.H. “Jack” Hoeven Jr., who gave so much to the communities and set an example for all to give back, according to FWBT.

“It is a chance for us to proudly represent our bank and to improve the quality of life for those we serve,” said Brenda Foster, chairman, president and CEO of FWBT. “As any FWBT employee who has volunteered in the past will tell you, it is an amazing experience that brings just as much joy to our hearts as it does the people we are helping.”

Employees in all regions have been cleaning parks, serving meals, saving pets, donating blood and supporting non-profits with like-minded aspirations since the beginning of First Western in 1964.

During Volunteer Days, all employees in every First Western location are given the opportunity to participate in a volunteer activity, most of them occurring during the work day. Some of the service projects scheduled this year included: distributing winter clothes through the Coats For Kids program in partnership with The Salvation Army, wrapping diapers for needy families through Project BEE, preparing Minot parks and downtown for the winter season with the Minot Park District, cleaning and landscaping at the Minot YMCA and helping the Roosevelt Park Zoo with its winter preparation.

First Western Bank & Trust employs over 330 people across 17 locations in North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota.