BLOOMINGTON, IND.- Five years ago, Monroe Bank began a special tradition. One day each year, during the national "Week of Caring," Monroe Bank closes all but three of its locations for a half-day, giving employees paid time off in order to do good deeds.

"We have found that our annual Day of Caring allows us to give something back to our communities that amounts to much more than simple monetary support," said President and Chief Executive Officer Mark D. Bradford. "When we roll up our sleeves and band together, not just as local bankers, but as floor scrubbers or tree planters or building painters, we forge a tangible connection to our communities, and a greater sense of individual ownership grows from that connection.

"With this sense of ownership, each of us then feels a little more responsible for keeping the community strong, and it's a sentiment which lasts all year."

With a workforce of more than 200 people throughout all of Monroe Bank's banking centers, even with a contingent left behind to keep three locations open and to maintain daily operations, a Monroe Bank Day of Caring can translate into as much as 500 hours of hands-on volunteer service, and nearly $7,500 in donated salaries and benefits in one day. And the tradition of giving back is honored throughout the year: Monroe Bank employees logged over 6,700 unpaid volunteer hours at 138 charitable organizations from July 2000 through July 2001. And, so far this year, the corporation has made financial contributions and sponsorships to community not-for-profit causes totaling more than $74,000.

Monroe Bank employees will participate in 18 Day of Caring projects, volunteering for such organizations as the American Cancer Society, Area 10 Agency on Aging, Bloomington Developmental Learning Center, Bloomington Housing Authority, Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department , Boys and Girls Club, Center for Women's Ministries, Hannah House Maternity Home, Harmony School, Middle Way House, Monroe County Public Library, Monroe County United Ministries, Options for Better Living, Shalom Community Center, Shelter Inc., Highland Park Elementary School, and Santa's Helpers (in Bedford).

Bank employees will spend their afternoon painting walls, cleaning gutters, polishing woodwork, raking leaves, reading books and poetry to children, encouraging women to have a mammogram during October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and more. A band of "Santa's Helpers" will even sort and package holiday toys for needy children at local elementary schools.

The Bank's newest banking centers are also participating. In Avon, where its banking center has been open since September 10, the staff will be volunteering at the Hendricks County Senior Citizens Center. In Plainfield, where the banking center opens just days before the Day of Caring, the staff will join the Greenway Project, pulling weeds and removing trash from green spaces near I-70 and US-267.

Monroe Bank's Day of Caring is a highlight of the Bank's long tradition of supporting its communities. The Bank is also determined to provide superior service to its customers. For customer convenience, three banking centers will remain open on the Day of Caring. The drive-through Kirkwood Auto Banking Center at 306 E. Kirkwood, the Loan Center at 111 S. Lincoln, and the banking center inside Marsh at Kinser Pike will remain open during normal business hours. Jackson County banking centers will also be open for business as usual. Employees at these banking centers will be sporting the official "Volunteer" T-shirts and volunteering in spirit!