The spirit of volunteerism has been renowned for decades throughout Marshall County.

From 4-H to parent-teacher organizations to Little League to volunteer fire departments, volunteers from all walks of life step forward to make the city and county a better place to live, work and play.

Such was the case Wednesday when staff from Marshalltown’s First Interstate Bank’s (FIB) two branch offices volunteered at the Marshalltown Senior Citizen Center (MSCC) and Marshall County Animal Rescue League.

It was part of FIB’s corporate-wide annual volunteer day where branches nationwide were closed to give employees an opportunity to give back to their communities, especially at not-for-profit organizations, said Jenny Meling, Southridge Road branch manager.

Meling said customers could still contact FIB’s call centers and bank online.

“We pick a day that is the least busy to get out into our communities and volunteer,” she said.

FIB wants all employees to donate at least 10 hours per year to community initiatives, she said, and branch managers are expected to do more.

On Wednesday, from 1 to 4 p.m., the 28-year banking veteran was busy overseeing seven of her colleagues who were aggressively mopping and sweeping floors, washing dozens of windows and cleaning bathrooms among other tasks at the MSCC.

Assisting Meling was Debbie Yakle of the center.

“This is the second consecutive year we have helped at the MSCC,” said Meling. “I have been on the MSCC board for 15 years, and I have a special place in my heart for the organization.”

When done with their shift, Meling’s team endeavored to make sure the center’s many windows sparkled and the floors dirt and dust free.

Angie Petrie of Laurel, a teller, said it was “wonderful” that the MSCC would benefit from the cleaning efforts.

Her colleague, Samantha Vanderah of Marshaltown, echoed Petrie’s comments.

Vanderah was on window-washing detail along with other colleagues — an important task — as the center has a highly visible location at the intersection of South Third Avenue and East Church Street. Its many windows provide a substantial amount of natural sunlight.

Yakle said MSCC is active and busy with card playing, crafts and more.

“It gets pretty loud in here in the mornings,” she said.

Meling’s colleagues who work at the downtown branch in the 10 block of South First Avenue were equally busy at the county’s ARL in the 1900 block of Taylor Avenue.

Tom Farley, branch manager, and seven of his colleagues were assigned a variety of tasks from cleaning to walking dogs to preparing items for the Oktemberfest parade by ARL Volunteer Coordinator Erika Melchor.

Farley and colleagues said they agreed with the FIB corporate strategy to give back to local communities.

“We are a community bank,” Farley said.

Melchor said volunteerism not only benefits not-for-profit organizations, but the individual who volunteers too.

ARL interim director Deirdre Gruendler said she and fellow staff were grateful for the assistance from FIB on Wednesday and the other substantial aid it receives from the community.

ARL found 1200 homes for unwanted pets last year.

It currently can not accept more cats, as all kennels are full.