Gesa Credit Union collects gift donations
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 9 months AGO
Gesa Credit Union in Moses Lake will collect toy donations for the community through Dec. 16.
JOEL MARTIN/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Joel Martin has been with the Columbia Basin Herald for more than 25 years in a variety of roles and is the most-tenured employee in the building. Martin is a married father of eight and enjoys spending time with his children and his wife, Christina. He is passionate about the paper’s mission of informing the people of the Columbia Basin because he knows it is important to record the history of the communities the publication serves. | November 22, 2023 2:54 PM
MOSES LAKE — Gesa Credit Union will partner with local organizations to collect and distribute Christmas gifts through its annual Stock-the-Sock Holiday Drive, according to an announcement from Gesa.
Community members are encouraged to donate gifts online through Gesa’s digital wish list on Elfster or in the donation bins located at every Gesa branch, according to the announcement. Gesa, based in Richland, has one branch in the Basin, at 721 S. Pioneer Way in Moses Lake. Stock-the-Sock will run through Dec. 16.
Gifts will be distributed by New Hope in Moses Lake, according to the announcement. New Hope is the organization selected by Gesa as part of its Local Heroes project, which provides funding for Washington organizations that support specific groups that Gesa defines as local heroes, such as firefighters, law enforcement, educators, veterans and healthcare workers.
This year, Gesa’s goal is to collect 500 gifts across Washington, the announcement said. Those who wish to stay up to date with the gift drive goal can visit the tracker posted on Gesa Credit Union’s social media channels and website. Examples of gifts to donate include stuffed animals, Lego sets, puzzles, books and socks.
“Our Local Heroes contribute significantly to our communities every day, and we are grateful for our collaboration with these organizations in distributing gifts to those who need it most,” Amber Merrill, community relations manager at Gesa Credit Union, wrote in the announcement. “Our annual Stock-the-Sock drive is a cherished celebration we look forward to every year, especially as people come together to help others during the holiday season. It’s an honor to be part of this collective effort and it wouldn’t be possible without the support from our members and the community.”
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Quincy National Night Out scales down
QUINCY — Quincy’s National Night Out was more compact this year, which worked out well, said QPD Sgt. Joe Westby, who’s in charge of event planning for the Quincy Police Department. “National Night Out is a big event, and the fact that we’re able to shrink it up is like a breath of fresh air,” Westby said. “If you're always doing the same thing, it's kind of nice to switch things up and see how it works.” National Night Out took place Thursday on the block of C Street next to the police station, a shift from previous years when it was held at Lauzier Park. The smaller space meant fewer emergency vehicles for children to explore, but it also meant less walking for attendees. Grant County Fire District 5 brought a fire truck, and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office had a patrol boat. Renew, the Grant County behavioral health agency, had a booth and so did Quincy Partnership for Youth. Veterans Operation Creation sang the national anthem, and the Quincy Animal Shelter brought kittens that piled over each other making friends with passersby. As before, the QPD served grilled hot dogs.
Quincy Police retirements leave big shoes to fill
QUINCY — There are some big shoes to fill at the Quincy Police Department. “We’re losing 48 years of experience between them,” Quincy Police Chief Ryan Green said at the retirement party for Capt. Jorge Trujillo and Det. Damon Powell Thursday. Trujillo, who grew up in Sunnyside, has been with QPD for 19 years, he said, coming on as a patrol officer fresh out of the military. From there he served as a field training officer, a detective and finally captain. “I consider him my left-hand man,” Green said. “He runs the operations side of the house … He knows the agency very well, and he knows the community.” Trujillo has some projects around the house to tackle now that he’s retired, he said.
Big fun on a small scale
Wheat Land Communities’ Fair opens Thursday
RITZVILLE — The Wheat Land Communities’ Fair isn’t as big or as flashy as some of the county fairs around central Washington, but the folks who keep it going like it just the way it is. “It’s somewhere you can go and get an old-time traditional feeling, and you’re comfortable letting your kids roam the grounds and experience all that it has to offer,” said Board Member Lori Williams. “It’s more of a feeling than (one) specific thing,” The fair starts Thursday in Ritzville and runs through Sunday. Starting Friday, the 56th Ritzville Rodeo will take place alongside the fair at the rodeo grounds. This year the entertainment budget was expanded, Williams said, to be able to offer more fun that’s covered by the cost of admission. For the kids, there’s face painting, balloon art, Lego crafts, races, contests and games. Children can also ride on a little train towed around the fairgrounds behind a tractor.