MLSD benefits from Gesa Credit Union donation
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 6 months AGO
Gesa Credit Union donated $380,000 to 27 school districts Friday, including Moses Lake School District. The credit union has raised more than $1.8 million for local schools through its Affinity Debit Card program since 2015.
COURTESY PHOTO/GESA CREDIT UNION
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. | August 14, 2024 1:00 AM
RICHLAND — The Moses Lake School District received a $24,747 donation Friday from Gesa Credit Union, according to an announcement from Gesa.
The donation was part of $380,000 raised through Gesa’s Affinity Debit Card program, according to the announcement, and 26 school districts besides Moses Lake were also beneficiaries. The donations were announced at a celebration at the Tagaris Tasting Room and Taverna in Richland on Friday evening.
Funds raised through the Affinity Debit Card program support partner schools by enhancing academic programs, meeting technology needs, and funding extracurricular activities and athletics, according to the announcement. Every time a participating card is swiped, Gesa makes a donation to that school. Since 2015, Gesa, which is based in Richland and has a branch in Moses Lake, has raised more than $1.8 million for local schools through the program.
“At Gesa, we believe in the power of education to transform lives and communities. That’s why we are immensely proud to support our local schools through our Affinity Debit Card program,” Brandon Allison, assistant vice president of training, education and community outreach at Gesa Credit Union, wrote in the announcement. “We are especially thankful for our members, as their participation has made this our most successful year yet in terms of contributions. Their continued support enables us to create opportunities and make a lasting impact on the lives of students and educators across Washington.”
The other districts receiving funds through the Affinity Debit Program were:
• Naches Valley School District: $1,758
• St. Patrick Catholic School: $4,237
• Everett Community College Foundation: $5,000
• Heritage University: $5,000
• Highline College Foundation: $5,000
• Eastmont School District: $7,000
• Wenatchee School District: $7,000
• Foundation for Edmonds School District: $10,000
• Renton School District: $20,000
• Tacoma Public Schools: $20,000
• Tri-Cities Prep Catholic High School: $1,000
• Tri-Tech Skills Center: $3,000
• Columbia School District: $3,538
• Liberty Christian School: $4,560
• Prosser School District: $5,000
• West Valley School District: $5,000
• Kiona-Benton City School District: $5,587
• Delta High School: $5,692
• Finley School District: $6,342
• College Place School District: $8,082
• Yakima School District: $9,158
• Walla Walla Public Schools: $10,886
• Columbia Basin College Foundation: $17,500
• Richland School District: $58,123
• Kennewick School District: $60,309
• Pasco School District: $66,609
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Space Burger booth open March 13-15
MOSES LAKE — Those who can’t wait for the Grant County Fair can get their Space Burger fix next weekend, according to an announcement from the Lioness Club of Moses Lake. The iconic Grant County sandwiches will be available at the Grant County Fairgrounds March 13-15, according to the announcement. There is no admission fee to get into the fairgrounds that weekend.
SENIOR EVENTS: March 2026
COLUMBIA BASIN — Plays, art shows, auctions and more await seniors in the Columbia Basin this month. Here are some opportunities to get out and about in March.
Valentine’s Day cards flood Brookdale Hearthstone with love
MOSES LAKE — Residents at Brookdale Hearthstone Assisted Living in Moses Lake got Valentine’s Day greetings from across the country last month. “I believe that the only states we have not received (cards from) yet are Vermont and Maine,” Lifestyle Director Imelda Broyles said Feb. 24. “We keep receiving new cards every single day. They have not stopped. My residents are in awe with every single one of the cards that we’ve been receiving.” The Hearts Across America project started as a way for children in school classrooms to exchange Valentine’s Day cards with classes in other states or even countries, but the idea has expanded to senior living facilities, according to the project’s social media.