Gesa has provided more than $1.4 million in grants to organizations that support Local Heroes across the Pacific Northwest

Gesa, a community-focused credit union, is proud to announce the recipients of its 2024 Local Heroes Grant Program, which provides funds to organizations supporting local heroes within the community. This year, Gesa awarded more than $475,000 in grants to 44 organizations across the Pacific Northwest, marking its largest donation year yet. The top awarded organizations received upwards of $50,000 to support their individual needs.

Gesa’s Local Heroes Grant Program provides grants to organizations that support any of the Gesa’s outlined Local Heroes categories, including firefighters, law enforcement, educators, healthcare workers, and veterans. This year’s recipients were selected by the credit union’s Gesa Community Foundation selection committee.

“We are incredibly proud to support this year’s Local Heroes Grant recipients. Each of these organizations inspires us with their unwavering commitment to making our communities a stronger and safer place,” said Brandon Allison, AVP of Training, Education, and Community Relations at Gesa Credit Union. “The work these heroes do every day truly makes a difference. Gesa is honored to stand beside them and help further their impact.”

Of the 44 organizations recognized through the Local Heroes Grant Program this year, 16 grants were awarded to educators. Firefighter and law enforcement departments and organizations were provided a total of 14 grants, seven for each local heroes group. Three grants were given to organizations supporting healthcare workers, and another 11 grants supported veteran organizations.

A complete list of this year’s program recipients can be found below:

Educators

· Park Middle School

· Pine Tree Elementary

· Yakima County Department of Emergency Medical Services

· La Salle High School

· INW Dyslexia Alliance

· InvestED

· Bethel School District

· Highland Middle School

· BELONG Partners

· Bremerton School District

· Riverside Elementary School

· Union Gap School

· Mabton School District

· William Wiley Elementary

· Washington Elementary

· Granger High School PBIS Team

Firefighters

· Granger Volunteer Fire Department

· City of Colfax Fire Department

· Kootenai County Fire and Rescue

· King County Fire Protection District #50

· Grant County Fire District #3

· Support 7

· Columbia Walla Walla Fire District #2

Law Enforcement

· Blue Hero Project

· Chelan County Mountain Rescue

· Chelan County Regional Justice Center K9 Unit

· City of West Richland Police Department

· Lakewood Police Department

· College Place Police Department

· Law Enforcement Against Drugs Task Force

Healthcare Workers

· Tri-Cities Chaplaincy

· Columbia Basin College Foundation

· PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Foundation

Veterans

· Heroes Homestead

· Service Peace Warriors

· Dress for Success Seattle

· Alatheia Therapeutic Riding Center

· Compass Housing Alliance

· The Valhalla Flag Project

· The Seattle Stand Down

· Happy Letters Association

· American Legion Cathay Post #186

· Therapeutic Riding of Tri-Cities

· Yakima Valley Veterans Coalition

With every swipe of a Local Heroes co-branded Gesa Visa® Debit Card, Gesa members earn funds designated for grants in that card’s local heroes category. Funds accumulate over the course of a year and are disbursed annually by the Gesa Community Foundation.

For more information about Gesa’s Local Heroes Grant Program, including eligibility requirements, visit www.gesa.com/category/local-heroes/.