Thursday October 15 is the 2nd Annual Interior Savings Day of Difference – a day when Interior Savings spends the morning welcoming members into branches with treats, and spends the afternoon out in the community to help make a difference.

“For 75 years, we’ve been building our business to give back,” says Kathy Conway, Interior Savings’ CEO. “On this particular day, we’re giving back by rolling up our sleeves – every one of us, and physically getting out there.”

As a credit union and co-operative, Interior Savings integrates sharing profits with members and building stronger communities right into its business model. Interior Savings formalized its commitment to being an active and contributing member of the community by setting aside an afternoon for all employees to get out into the community and volunteer. Interior Savings’ Day of Difference is now an annual tradition.

In the South Okanagan, here are a few of the places you’ll find Interior Savings employees prepping, painting and cleaning the streets this Thursday afternoon:

· Okanagan Boys and Girls Club, Oliver – cleaning and painting
· Osoyoos Rotary – helping clean the streets of Osoyoos
· Okanagan Falls Parks and Recreation – assisting with the Parks Mural Project

Osoyoos: In 2014 the Osoyoos team helped clean up the Pioneer Walkway.  l-r: Stephanie Rink, Lynda Bliss, Lori Hernandez, Joy Weiss, Brieanne Mader. In 2015, the team will be doing some highway clean-up. They have their gloves, vests and signs ready and at 2:15, they are meeting the Osoyoos Rotary at the Volunteer Centre to be given their clean-up locations.

Okanagan Falls: In 2014 the Okanagan Falls team volunteered at the Okanagan Falls Heritage and Museum Society helping with gardening and yard clean-up. l-r Back row: Helen Shemilt, Angie Duncan, Bob MacDonald (from Kelowna), Cathy Talman, Karon Regamble (now in Oliver), l-r front row: Deanna Baskett, Holly Hoy. In 2015, Deanna, Helen, Angie and Holly will be testing out their artistic skills by helping the Okanagan Falls Parks and Recreation with their Parks Mural Project in Christie Park and Kenyon Park.

In 2014, the Oliver Branch volunteered at Okanagan Gleaners Society, packaging dried vegetables into large containers which would later be individually packaged to send out to those in need.  Janet West who worked in Oliver last year although more recently has transferred to West Kelowna.
This year, the Oliver Branch will be helping out at the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club in Oliver – doing some light cleaning of windows and helping to repaint the foyer. A number of staff will also be out cleaning up the Hike and Bike.