Gesa in the Community — Local Partnerships Gesa Credit Union is committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve. Giving back is just one of the many ways we embody the credit union motto of “people helping people.” Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Gesa Credit Union serves as the Official Financial Partner and Title Sponsor of the WIAA. We share promotions and financial tips through WIAA channels, sponsor Game of the Week and Athlete of the Week recognition and have an in-person presence during many Championship Events. The WIAA was formed in 1905 to create equitable playing conditions between high school sports teams in Washington. It now consists of nearly 800-member high schools and middle/junior high schools, both public and private, and is divided into nine geographic service districts. It oversees athletics and fine arts in Washington State and hosts 120 WIAA state championship events from early November through late May. These programs provide students with valuable life skills and are an integral part of the holistic education process. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WIAA Gesa Power House Theater The historic Gesa Power House Theatre is a world-class, 330-seat performing arts theatre located in downtown Walla Walla, Washington. The 120-year-old building was once the Walla Walla Gas Plant, originally built to produce coal gas that was piped underground to light the streets, businesses, and homes of Walla Walla. The building was converted to generate electricity around the year 1905 by installing steam driven dynamos and transformers. In 2011, the interior of the building was transformed into a state-of-the-art performing arts theater. CHECK OUT THE THEATRE’S CALENDAR OF EVENTS Dust Devils and Gesa Stadium For over 13 years, Gesa has partnered with the Tri-City Dust Devils to provide fun, affordable family entertainment at Gesa Stadium in Pasco, which hosts the team’s home games as well as other community events like the City of Pasco’s Grand Old 4th Celebration each Independence Day. In 2019, Gesa Stadium received $2 million in stadium updates for LED lighting improvements and upgrades in the general admission and lower box seating. The 2021 season marks a new chapter for the team as they became the Los Angeles Angels’ High-A long season affiliate. Their longer season runs from May to September, and the team is committed to following state guidelines to ensure a safe and fun environment for players and fans alike. CHECK OUT THE DUST DEVILS 2021 SEASON SCHEDULE Gesa Carousel of Dreams This over 120-year-old piece of history has had visitors from all 50 states and around the world. Construction of the facility and installation of the vintage 1910 Charles Carmel Carousel was funded in large part through Gesa’s commitment to providing the Tri-Cities community with a year-round venue for arts, entertainment, weddings, and parties – it’s the perfect place to create happy memories! Adjusting to the events of 2020, the Carousel is committed to providing safe, socially distanced activities for community members including their Scare-Ousel of Dreams and their Easter Extravaganza. The Carousel achieved its 750,000th rider in December 2019 and continues to offer safe, accessible family fun for all ages. LEARN ABOUT THE CAROUSEL OF DREAMS FOUNDATION Junior Achievement Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing students to succeed in a global economy. Gesa supports their efforts by sponsoring annual fundraising events, providing classroom volunteers, and donating to educational programs. With the help of dedicated volunteers – including many Gesa team members – Junior Achievement provides students in-school and after-school programs focused on three key areas: Work readiness Entrepreneurship Financial literacy In addition to bringing the free enterprise system to life in the classrooms, Junior Achievement programs also teach the importance of staying in school. In 2020, Junior Achievement of Washington pivoted swiftly to meet the needs of virtual students and educators and to ensure that learning was sustained: they transformed their in-person programs into free, digital resources used by 35,237 students across the state. Now, they are embracing a hybrid learning environment, as some classes return to in-person offerings and others remain accessible virtually. GET INVOLVED WITH JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT Tri-City Americans Gesa is honored to be the official credit union of the Tri-City Americans. This partnership includes the “Gesa Credit Union Saves for Students” program in which Gesa donates $2 for every save made by an Americans goaltender to the Americans’ Players’ Education Fund, a nonprofit organization providing scholarships for players seeking to further their education when their hockey careers are complete. The 2021 WHL Pre-Season begins on September 10, 2021, with games broadcast live on local channels and SWXRightNow.com. LEARN ABOUT THE TRI-CITY AMERICANS Local Organizations and Events Supported in 2020 All 7 Tri-Cities’ DECA Student Organizations Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho Puyallup Chamber of Commerce Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce American Red Cross Serving Central and Southeastern Washington Greater Spokane Incorporated Red Mountain AVA TRIDEC Backpack for Kids Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce Richland Police Foundation Tri-Cities Immigrant Coalition Boys and Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties; Moses Lake; Puget Sound Green River College Foundation Richland School District Tri-Cities Youth Soccer Association Bremerton Chamber of Commerce Highline Schools Foundation Richland Seniors Association Tukwila Pantry Food Bank Bremerton Lions Club Hispanic Academic Achievers Program Rod’s House United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties Central Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Hispanic Business Professionals Association of Spokane Sacred Heart Medical Center Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery Central Washington Home Builders Association Inclusive Safe Harbor Support Center Voices for Children Foundation, Yakima Central Valley School District InvestED Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce Vintiques of Yakima Chaplaincy Health Care Junior Achievement of Tri-Cities, Yakima, Spokane, and Walla Walla Second Harvest Pasco & Spokane Visit Tri-Cities Chelan-Douglas Child Services Association Kennewick School District Senior Life Resource Center (Meals on Wheels) Tri-Cities Walla Walla Camp Fire Chelan-Douglas Community Action Council King County DCYF Silverdale Chamber of Commerce Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce Children’s Home Society of Walla Walla La Casa Hogar Spark Central Walla Walla Choral Society Children’s Reading Foundation of the Mid-Columbia Lakeside Boosters Spokane Centennial Middle School IXL Program Walla Walla School District City of Pasco Latino Educational Training Institute Spokane Chapter of Credit Unions Walla Walla YMCA College Place School District Liberty Christian School Spokane Garland Business District Washington Family Engagement College Success Foundation Lynnwood CPS Spokane Hoopfest Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Columbia Basin College Foundation Meals on Wheels Spokane Spokane Immigrant Resource Center Wenatchee AppleSox Columbia School District Middleton Farms Spokane Lilac Parade Wenatchee Chamber of Commerce Communities in Schools of Benton-Franklin, Moses Lake, Renton, & Spokane Mission Community Outreach Center Spokane SNAP Wenatchee Public Schools Community Services of Moses Lake Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Program Spokane Stand Down Wenatchee Wellness Place Crystal Apple Awards of Tri-Cities and Yakima Mobile Meals of Wenatchee Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce Wenatchee Wild Delta High School Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce Still Waters Snack Pack Program Wenatchee Valley Apple Blossom Festival Domestic Violence Services of Benton and Franklin Counties Moses Lake School District Luke’s Rehabilitation Center West Plains Chamber of Commerce Eastmont School District Moses Lake Service Alternatives Patrick’s Catholic School West Richland Area Chamber of Commerce Edmonds School District Mo’s Place Sue’s Turkey Drive Whitworth University Embrace Washington Naches Valley School District Support and Advocacy Resource Center (SARC) Wishing Well Foundation Envision Pierce County National Credit Union Foundation Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce Women Helping Women Foundation Ephrata School District New Beginnings Closet The Arc of Tri-Cities & Spokane World Council of Credit Unions Finley School District Northwest Credit Union Foundation The Carl Maxey Center Yakima Greenway Foundation First Night Tri-Cities Othello School District Toys for Tots Yakima Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Food Lifeline Odyssey Youth Movement Transitions Spokane Yakima Hot Shotz Foster First Yakima One America Treehouse Yakima Memorial Hospital Foundation Gesa Carousel of Dreams Pasco Chamber of Commerce Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Yakima Rotary Food Bank Gesa College Scholarships Pasco School District Tri-Cities Home Builders Association Yakima School District Gesa Power House Theatre People for People Yakima Tri-Cities Strong Yakima Schools Foundation Gesa Credit Union Turkey Trot Prosser School District Tri-City Americans Yakima Valley Tourism Tri-City Dust Devils YWCA of Yakima More from Gesa in the Community SeminarsWe offer free financial literacy materials and workshops to high schools, colleges, clubs, businesses, and other groups. Learn More SponsorshipsLooking for Gesa to sponsor your next event? Check out the sponsorship guidelines. Learn More SimulationsMaking a positive impact through real-life financial learning. Learn More ScholarshipsGesa’s community commitment to higher education. Learn More Local HeroesThe Local Heroes Grants Program awards funds to eligible organizations that support Local Heroes in regions where Gesa is active. Learn More High School Credit Unions Real life financial experience for high school students. Learn More