Gesa ‘Stock-the-Sock’ gift drive begins
JOEL MARTIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 9 months AGO
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, 2024 2:40 AM
RICHLAND — Gesa Credit Union announced Wednesday the beginning of its annual “Stock the Sock” gift drive.
From now through Dec. 9, community members are invited to donate gifts through Gesa’s digital wish list on Elfster or by dropping off new, unused toys at any Gesa branch location. All donated gifts will be distributed to support the efforts of local hero groups, including firefighters, law enforcement, educators, healthcare workers, and veterans, as well as to various community organizations helping families and individuals in need this holiday season, according to the announcement.
Gesa’s Moses Lake branch is located at 721 S. Pioneer Way.
In addition to the gift drive, Gesa is partnering with Triumph Foundation, which empowers individuals with spinal cord injuries, and Gifts of Hope, an organization dedicated to providing support and resources to those in need, according to the announcement. Gesa team members will shop for items to benefit local children and families, which will be distributed to these organizations to help further their mission.
This year, Gesa aims to collect 500 gifts across the Pacific Northwest, according to the announcement. Community members can track the campaign’s progress on Gesa’s social media channels, where updates will be posted on the collection goal and stories of impact. Examples of gifts to donate include stuffed animals, books, puzzles and gloves.
Donations gathered at Gesa branches will be distributed to those in need by local hero organizations across the region, according to the announcement. Locally, the distribution point will be the Salvation Army’s Moses Lake Service Center, 212 S. Alder St.
“The holidays are a time to come together, and we’re honored to join our local heroes and community partners in creating a special season for families who need it most,” Brandon Allison, AVP of Training, Education and Community Outreach at Gesa Credit Union, wrote in the announcement. “Seeing the community rally together every year is truly inspiring — each donation, whether a toy or a warm coat, is a reminder of the kindness that connects us all. Thanks to the generosity of so many, we’re able to make a bigger impact and bring even more joy to others this season.”
For more information about Gesa Credit Union’s involvement in the community, visit https://www.gesa.com/community.
Stock the Sock
Nov. 20-Dec. 9
Gesa Credit Union
721 S. Pioneer Way
Moses Lake
ARTICLES BY JOEL MARTIN
Quincy National Night Out scales down
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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.