EUGENE, Ore. — Five years in a row now, employees of SELCO Community Credit Union are using the Columbus Day bank holiday to spread a little goodwill by volunteering at more than a dozen local agencies.

“With so many consumers worried about the financial markets–and the stability of their own financial institution in particular–the management and team at SELCO believes this annual effort is more important than ever,” said a CU press release.

Bob Newcomb, president/CEO, stressed that the 270-employee Eugene CU, has deep roots in the community and “it's important that our neighbors see our faces out there making a difference and understand that we'll be here to help them, too, regardless of the changing financial landscape.”

The agencies include FOOD for Lane County, NextStep Recycling, Relief Nursery, and the Cascades Raptor Center. Team members will do a variety of light gardening, construction, and cleaning duties depending on their interest and physical abilities, said SELCO.

SELCO's “Day of Caring” begins with breakfast, a short kickoff presentation from Newcomb, and the annual presentation of team service awards. After that, teams of 5-20 employees collect their box lunches and deploy to the agencies for an afternoon of cleaning, sorting, digging, and hauling.