MOSES LAKE — Gesa Credit Union stepped out to help two local organizations on their annual day of service Oct. 9. The regional banking organization closed its 28 branches and stepped out to help 31 community organizations statewide.

“At Gesa, we are committed to empowering the communities we serve. We are honored to have partnered with these local organizations for our second annual Day of Service, as their invaluable contributions create a lasting positive impact across our state,” said Don Miller, President and CEO of Gesa Credit Union.

Locally, that included offering a helping hand at the Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation and Grant County Animal Outreach.

In Moses Lake, volunteers visited GCAO and performed a variety of tasks including sprucing up kennels, walking dogs, general maintenance and other tasks that helped lighten the load at the shelter.

Grant County Animal Outreach is a nonprofit that works with local government agencies and the public to address the issue of stray animals in Grant County. Like many of the animal shelters across the nation, the shelter is above capacity and in need of any assistance the community can provide. As of Saturday, the shelter had more than 80 dogs available for adoption and upwards of 40 cats looking for permanent homes.

"The folks at GCAO are profoundly grateful to the Gesa employees who helped us," said GCAO Board President Sara Thompson-Tweedy. "With all of the animals in our care, it's hard to get around to all the projects we need to do. Thanks to Gesa, we can check some of those off the list."

The shelter is still in need of volunteers and donations, including people willing to foster animals in their homes. For more information, visit the shelter’s website at grantcountyanimaloutreach.org and click on the get involved link.

While at the Cancer Foundation, Gesa staff helped pack up and deliver Lions Den meals to cancer patients in active treatment that the nonprofit is working to support. The Columbia Basin Cancer Foundation works to support cancer patients with accessing necessary services and a variety of other aid while they are working to get healthy again.

Altogether, the Gesa staff members logged in more than 2,400 hours of community service across Washington.

Anyone wishing to help the Cancer Foundation through volunteering, delivering meals, participating in the nonprofit’s board or assisting with events can find more information at columbiabasincancerfoundation.org and click on the get involved link. The foundation may also be reached at 509-764-4644 for volunteer information or info on how to request services through the agency.

Nearby, Gesa employees also assisted Aletheia Therapeutic Riding in the Wenatchee area.

R. Hans Miller may be reached at [email protected].