MLSD benefits from Gesa Credit Union donation
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 8 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
Ephrata Youth Fishing Derby Saturday
EPHRATA — The Ephrata Lions Club will host its annual Youth Fishing Derby from 6 to 8 a.m. this Saturday at Ping Pond, formerly Oasis Park Pond, according to Lions Club member Bill Sangster. The event is free for all children 4-14 years old. No registration is necessary; kids can just show up and fish. A fish farm is stocking the pond, Sangster said. “They (said they’re) going to put some big ones in, six- or seven-pounders,” Sangster said.
Hands-on history
Youth Heritage Project to explore Ellensburg history, alternative energy
MOSES LAKE — Some students in the Columbia Basin will get a chance to experience history at close range this summer. The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation is accepting applications for its four-day Youth Heritage Project, which will be July 13-16 in Ellensburg this year. “We go to different places in the state every year … and do a deep dive into a place,” said Moira Nadal, director of preservation for the WTHP. “We … want the students to have a chance to get to know a place. They could be in a classroom anywhere, (but) walking around, spending time in a place, doing site visits, those are really important.”
Moses Lake ready for spring cleaning
MOSES LAKE — The annual Downtown Cleanup will be this Saturday, with an expanded range. “We’ll be cleaning up downtown Moses Lake, probably spanning from Balsam Street up to Cedar, and then we’re extending over to Neppel Landing Park this time,” said Mallory Miller, executive director of the Downtown Moses Lake Association, which organizes the cleanup. There has been some concern about needles or other sharps being found at Neppel Landing, Miller added, so only those volunteers who are comfortable with that possibility will be asked to clean that area.