RICHLAND—Gesa, a community-focused credit union, is proud to announce this Arbor Day that its Forevergreen Affinity Card, a fundraising program created in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, has had a successful first year. With support from more than 7,000 Gesa members and card holders, the two organizations raised more than $66,000, which will go towards the Foundation’s reforestation initiatives and help plant more than 31,000 trees across the Pacific Northwest.
The Power of Trees
From backyards to tropical rain forests, trees around the world are hard at work providing the necessities of life. Trees clean our air and water, provide habitat for wildlife, connect communities, and support our health and well-being.
“At Gesa, we’re dedicated to supporting and strengthening the communities our members and team members call home, which is why we’re ecstatic to see the immense impact our Forevergreen Affinity Card and overall partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation has had across the region,” said Chad Langford, Vice President of Marketing at Gesa Credit Union. “It’s inspiring to see our members join us in planting trees in the Pacific Northwest. We could not have done this without their support.”
With the Forevergreen Affinity Card funds, the Arbor Day Foundation will plant the trees in Washington Department of Natural Resources Managed Forests. This initiative aims to restore Washington’s public lands, addressing wildfires, diseases, and insect infestations. The focus includes strategically planting Douglas fir, Western hemlock, and Western redcedar trees. These efforts aim to regenerate multi-species forest stands resilient to diseases and insects, ensuring a healthier future for the forests.
The Forevergreen Affinity Card is the sixth card Gesa has launched that supports Local Heroes, generating an even greater impact on our communities. The other groups honored in Gesa’s suite of Local Heroes Affinity Cards include firefighters, law enforcement, healthcare workers, teachers, and veterans. Gesa’s Co-branded Affinity Debit Card Program supports Local Heroes by earning money for eligible organizations supporting these heroes each time a card is used. Co-branded Affinity Debit Cards are available exclusively at Gesa Credit Union and are free to Gesa members with a checking account. There is no fee for members to switch their card to any of the Local Heroes designs.
For more information about Gesa Credit Union and its Affinity Debit Card Program visit www.gesa.com. For more information about the Arbor Day Foundation, visit arborday.org.
SOURCE: Gesa Credit Union
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
