NextFin news, First Fed, a community bank with a century-long legacy of local support, has expanded its annual Community Spirit Day into a full Community Spirit Month in 2025. This announcement was made on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, marking a significant step in the bank’s ongoing dedication to community engagement across the Olympic Peninsula and Puget Sound regions of Washington state.
Originally launched in June 2024, the inaugural Community Spirit Day involved closing First Fed branches for half a day to allow employees to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. During that event, 147 employees contributed over 600 volunteer hours, assisting in building homes, organizing Habitat stores, and strengthening ties with local nonprofits.
Building on this success, First Fed’s Community Engagement Director Donya Alward explained that the new Community Spirit Month will stagger volunteer participation over several weeks. This approach allows more employees to engage in service activities while keeping branches operational to serve customers. The expansion also enables partnerships with a broader range of nonprofit organizations.
Robin Bookter, branch manager at First Fed’s Sequim Avenue location, reflected on the 2024 event, stating, “The energy across all our teams was absolutely inspiring. Seeing our colleagues come together—hammer in hand, paintbrush ready, heart on full display—was a vivid reminder of what sets First Fed apart: our unwavering commitment to serve and uplift our communities.”
Volunteerism is deeply embedded in First Fed’s culture. Employees receive up to three paid days off annually to volunteer for causes they care about, with some logging over 100 hours each year. Collectively, First Fed team members have contributed more than 28,000 volunteer hours across Western Washington in recent years.
Beyond volunteer work, the First Fed Foundation has provided millions in grants and sponsorships supporting housing, education, healthcare, and food security. These efforts have resulted in thousands of meals served, hundreds of people sheltered, and tens of thousands accessing medical care.
Donya Alward emphasized the importance of personal connection in the bank’s community work: “First Fed was built on community. Our Community Spirit Month is a reflection of that legacy. It’s not just about doing good—it’s about being present, being part of something bigger, and showing up for the places we call home.”
As the Community Spirit Month unfolds throughout 2025, First Fed employees will continue to balance their roles as bankers with active participation in community service, reinforcing the institution’s mission to put people and purpose first.
First Fed is a Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.
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