Gesa, a leading credit union in the Pacific Northwest, recently wrapped up its annual Holiday Giving Campaign, which brought holiday cheer to families across the region through the efforts of members and team members, according to a news release from Gesa.
The campaign collected more than 900 toys and provided gifts to 43 families — a total of 187 people through partnerships with local nonprofit organizations. Running from Nov. 17 through Dec. 12, the campaign featured two components: a toy drive and an “adopt-a-family” initiative.
Communities donated new, unused toys to Gesa’s 45 branch locations, while 173 Gesa team members volunteered their time to shop for and deliver gifts to families identified by partner organizations, the release stated.
“What started as a goal to give 500 toys to local families turned into something much larger,” Brandon Allison, vice president of community impact at Gesa Credit Union, said. “When members walked into branches carrying armfuls of toys, when team members spent their weekends shopping for families they’d never met, that’s the spirit of community.”
Gesa partnered with four nonprofit organizations: Communities In Schools of Washington, Triumph Community Services, The Forgotten Children’s Fund and Canopy Services. These organizations work year-round to strengthen communities by supporting families facing economic challenges, providing educational resources and connecting people with essential services, according to the release.
The 173 team members who participated in the adopt-a-family program supported a family and received wish lists from nonprofit partners. Team members then shopped for age-appropriate gifts, essential items, and holiday surprises, and delivered them to designated locations for distribution.
“The holidays can be a time of need for many families in our communities,” Allison added. “Whether it’s a member dropping off a board game or a team member spending an afternoon shopping for a family, these moments of connection remind us why we do this work. We’re grateful to our members and team members for making this possible.”
