Gesa Credit Union announces the first high school themed debit cards in Western Washington; funds to benefit foundation for Edmonds School District
Co-Branded Affinity Debit Cards have raised over $500,000 for high schools across eastern Washington
RICHLAND, WA (April 1, 2021) — Gesa Credit Union today announced a partnership with the Foundation for Edmonds School District that will launch a fundraising program benefiting the Foundation and the Edmonds School District through a suite of co-branded high school themed debit cards. Each time a Co-Branded Affinity Debit Card is used, Gesa will make a small donation through the Foundation for Edmonds School District to support academic, athletic, and extracurricular programs for students.
The suite of cards includes each high school in the Edmonds School District with Edmonds-Woodway High School, Lynnwood High School, Meadowdale High School, Mountlake Terrace High School, Scriber Lake High School, and Edmonds Heights K-12 all represented, along with the Foundation for Edmonds School District.
“The Foundation for Edmonds School District is proud to be sharing our community spirit and teaming up with Gesa Credit Union in this wonderful fundraising effort. Gesa’s Affinity Debit Card donations will help provide the financial support needed for the programming offered to our students throughout the year. Gesa brings great awareness to financial literacy and the opportunities and resources available to our students, families, teachers and community at a critical time,” said Deborah Brandi, Executive Director of the Foundation for Edmonds School District.
The Foundation will become the first western Washington school’s foundation to partner on the Co-Branded Affinity Debit Card program with Gesa Credit Union. Gesa recently merged with Inspirus Credit Union and added eight new branch locations across Washington. To date, Gesa’s Co-Branded Affinity Debit Cards have raised over $500,000 for students statewide with $227,000 awarded in 2020 alone.
“At Gesa we are passionate about supporting school districts and our educators. It is who we are as a credit union and we are thankful to our members who have embraced this program and have joined us in giving back,” said Don Miller, President and CEO of Gesa Credit Union. This is a win for everyone involved. It costs the cardholder and our members nothing. It truly is an effortless way to make an impact in the community and support our students.”
Gesa’s Co-Branded Affinity Debit Card Program supports local schools by earning funds each time a card is used. Donations help fund academic enriching programs.
Gesa members can switch to a Co-Branded Affinity Debit Card at no cost and can request a card by mail, or in-person for instant issue at any branch location. The cards are free to Gesa members with a checking account and there is no fee for members to switch their card to any of the designs offered. Non-members are welcome to join the credit union and participate in this free program. Anyone who lives, works, or worships in the state of Washington is eligible to join. To learn more about Gesa Credit Union and the Co-Branded Affinity Debit Card program, visit www.gesa.com.
About Gesa Credit Union
Gesa Credit Union is one of Washington’s largest credit unions, with over $5.5 billion in assets, and is nearly 290,000 members strong. Gesa is a full-service financial institution that offers a complete array of consumer, mortgage, and business products and services. Headquartered in Richland, Washington, Gesa operates 31 branches, loan centers, full-service student-operated campus branches at Washington State University, and 14 student-operated high school branches across Washington state. The Gesa Community Foundation, established in 2022, further supports Gesa’s ongoing commitment to local communities and charitable giving, which includes support for schools, Local Heroes groups, and community organizations through its Affinity Debit Card Program, as well as through its annual youth scholarships, and free financial and educational resources available to members and the general public. For more information, visit gesa.com.
