A group of credit unions and co-ops in Bellingham, a northwest Washington State city of 85,000, is celebrating the International Year of Cooperatives by sponsoring a full day of activities.

The “Day of Action,” as it is called, is slated for next Saturday at a Bellingham aquatic park, North Cascades National Park and the Bellingham Food Bank Farm, the group said.

The efforts designed to “demonstrate the power of co-operation” is aimed at building co-op/CU awareness in Whatcom County and to showcase the work of volunteers in community betterment, the group said in a statement.

“To bring together 10 area cooperatives and organize a volunteer a day of action, demonstrates the collaborative strength in our community,” said Katie Zowada, president/CEO of the $53 million GaPac Community FCU, one of the “Day of Action” organizers.

Volunteers and employees from area credit unions will be spending the day pulling weeds, spreading fertilizer and performing other chores, packing up canned foods and other chores, capped off with an evening BBQ in one of the city parks.

“We started working on this back in February and we posted 500 yard signs around the county announcing our plans,” said Linda Sant, marketing director at GaPac.

Radio spots were also placed announcing “Day of Action” and encouraging community participation.

At least 60 volunteers from three area credit unions are expected Saturday, Sant said.