Gesa Credit Union Honors Six Local Heroes During City of Chehalis’ First-Ever Fourth of July Celebration

RICHLAND, WASH. (July 9, 2026) ‒ Gesa, a leading credit union in the Pacific Northwest dedicated to driving meaningful change in the communities it serves, honored six local heroes during the City of Chehalis’ inaugural Fourth of July celebration held on July 4. The honorees were selected from community nominations for the lasting impact they have made across the region.

This year’s honorees include:

Chip Duncan, Veterans Memorial Museum, recognized for his work supporting local Veterans. Through the Veterans Memorial Museum, Duncan has become a trusted resource for Lewis County Veterans and their families. He provides hands-on assistance with secondary claims and other benefits systems, helping those who have served access the compensation and care they have earned.

Captain Braxton Traylor, Chehalis Fire Department, recognized for his leadership both inside and outside fire service. A fire captain and EMT, Traylor is known for mentoring fellow firefighters, providing compassionate patient care and giving back to children throughout the community.

Dr. Robert D. McElhaney, Mary’s Corner Medical Clinic, recognized for more than two decades of caring for patients across the region. Dr. McElhaney has devoted his career to expanding access to local healthcare, including building Mary’s Corner Medical Clinic, where he made a lasting impact on thousands of patients.

Cassandra Webber, St. Joseph School, recognized for her efforts supporting students, teachers and families. Webber dedicates countless hours to organizing the school’s auction, working alongside local businesses, school leaders and parent volunteers to make the event a success. Her efforts have helped generate funding that directly benefits classrooms and educational opportunities.

Todd and Troy Thornburg, Chehalis Police Department, recognized for their continued service as School Resource Officers at W.F. West High School. As retired law enforcement officers, both provide campus safety, emergency response and law-related education for students, teachers and families.

“As we read through the nominations, one thing became clear: every recipient has made a lasting difference in the lives of others,” said Brandon Allison, Gesa VP of Community Impact. “Seeing a community come together to celebrate them made this recognition even more special. At Gesa, supporting the people who strengthen our communities is central to who we are, and it is an honor to recognize them alongside the people who know them best.”

The recognition builds on Gesa’s long-standing commitment to supporting local heroes across the Pacific Northwest. Through its Local Heroes Grant Program, Gesa provides annual funding to organizations serving firefighters, law enforcement, educators, healthcare workers and Veterans. Last year marked a record-breaking milestone for the program, with more than half-a-million dollars awarded to 52 organizations across the region.

The program is made possible through Gesa’s Affinity debit card program. With every swipe of a Local Heroes co-branded Affinity debit card, 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.

Applications for Gesa’s 2026 Local Heroes Grant Program are open through July 31, 2026. To learn more about eligibility requirements and apply, visit www.gesa.com/foundation/local-heroes/.

To learn more about Gesa Credit Union and its products, services, or community programs, visit www.gesa.com.

Let’s get in touch

Have questions or inquiries about our involvement in communities across the Pacific Northwest?

Notes & Fees Glossary

Search for disclosures

	Disclaimer
SmartPlus Checking	[APY] Minimum opening balance of $25 required if the account is opened online. In order to earn APY and receive unlimited domestic ATM fee refunds, you must meet the following requirements during each monthly qualifying period: provide and maintain valid email address, apply for and use your Visa debit card to make 15 debit card transactions that post and settle to your account, have at least one direct deposit of $200 or more post to your account, and enroll to receive eStatements. If the requirements are not met during the monthly qualifying period, the “non-qualifying” 0.01% APY will apply to the entire balance. Dividends on a SmartPlus Checking account will be compounded and credited to a member’s account each month. Dividends are calculated using the daily balance method. Qualifying account balances must meet minimum requirements. Rate may change after the account is opened. The qualifying period begins with the first day of the calendar month and ends on the last day of the calendar month at 6:00 P.M. Pacific Time. ATM fees of $4.99 or less will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $4.99 per individual transaction. No monthly fees and no minimum balance required to open or maintain account unless opened online. Fees could reduce earnings on the account. Limit of one SmartPlus Checking account per member. APY is accurate as of , the last dividend declaration date.	A7KD4W9LQXZT
Smart Checking	*There is a minimum opening balance requirement of $25.00 if the account is opened online. Regular users of Gesa’s electronic services may want to consider SmartPlus Checking for additional benefits. [Courtesy Pay]	M3VY82CNRLKP
Student Checking	[APY] Dividends on Student Checking Accounts are calculated using the daily balance method and will be credited to the member’s account every month. Rate may change after the account is opened. If you close your account before dividends are paid, you will not receive the accrued dividends. The minimum balance to open an account is $5.00, the par value of a share. Courtesy Pay is not offered on Student Checking Accounts. Only electronic transactions such as debit card or ACH transactions are permitted. Fees could reduce earnings on the accounts.	JXZ7V5MWLQ92
Smartplus Savings	[APY] In order to earn a high dividend rate, you must meet the following requirements during the qualifying monthly period: a) provide and maintain a valid email address; and b) be enrolled to receive e-statements. If the requirements are not met during the monthly qualifying period, the “non-qualifying” 0.01% APY would apply to the entire balance. Dividends on an SmartPlus Savings Account will be compounded and credited to a member’s account each month. Dividends are calculated using the daily balance method. Qualifying account balances must meet minimum requirements. Rate may change after the account is opened. The qualifying period begins with the first day of the calendar month and ends on the last day of the calendar month at 6:00 P.M. Pacific Time. No monthly fees and no minimum balance required to maintain account. Minimum opening deposit of $5. Fees could reduce earnings. Limited to one SmartPlus Savings account per member.	P9T6QF2XJBLC
Smart Savings	[APY] Dividends on Smart Savings are calculated using the daily balance method and are paid monthly. Rate may change after the account is opened. No monthly fees and no minimum balance required to maintain account. Minimum opening deposit of $5. Fees could reduce earnings on the account.	Y4MKZ3WVTPQ8
High-Yield Savings	[APY] Dividends on the High Yield Savings account are calculated using the daily balance method and are paid monthly. No monthly fees and no minimum balance required to maintain account. Minimum opening deposit of $5. Fees could reduce earnings.	NDLXQ98R5VTE
Money Market	[APY] Dividends for the Money Market Account are calculated using the daily balance method which applies a daily periodic rate to the balance in the account each day. You must maintain a minimum daily balance of $2,500.00 in your account each day to obtain the disclosed annual percentage yield. The minimum balance required to open this account is $2,500.00. There is a minimum average daily balance of $2,500.00 required to avoid a service fee for the calendar month. If the minimum average daily balance requirement is not met, you will be charged a service fee as stated in the Consumer Fee Schedule. New rates are set on the first of each month; rate may change after the account is opened. Fees could reduce earnings on the account.	GQ37ZVKY1WLM
Fixed Certificate	[APY] A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Fees may reduce earnings. The minimum balance to open the certificate is stated in the chart. Early withdrawal penalties apply (a penalty may be imposed for withdrawals before maturity): If your account has an original maturity (term) of less than 12-months: The penalty will equal 90 days interest on the amount withdrawn subject to penalty. If your account has an original maturity (term) of 12-months or more – up to, but less than 36-months: The penalty will equal 180 days interest on the amount withdrawn subject to penalty. If your account has an original maturity of 36-months or more – up to, but less than 48-months: The penalty will equal 365 days interest on the amount withdrawn subject to penalty. If your account has an original maturity of 48-months or greater: The penalty will equal 540 days interest on the amount withdrawn subject to penalty. In certain circumstances such as the death or incompetence of an owner of this account, the law permits, or in some cases requires, the waiver of the early withdrawal penalty. For any account which earns an interest rate that may vary during the term such as a bump certificate, the interest rate we will use to calculate this early withdrawal penalty will be the interest rate in effect at the time of the withdrawal. You may make withdrawals of principal from your account before maturity. In making such withdrawals, your balance may not fall below the minimum or we will close your account. Principal withdrawn before maturity is included in the amount subject to early withdrawal penalty. You can withdraw interest only on the crediting dates without penalty. A $500 minimum deposit is required for consumer, IRA, and business certiﬁcates. Early withdrawal penalties may apply and may reduce earnings. Certiﬁcate rate is for a limited time only and could end at any time. Stated rate as of the first day of the month.	H85PLKJXZ2QM
Bump Certificate	[APY] A penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Fees may reduce earnings. The minimum balance to open the certificate is stated in the chart. The Certificate owner must contact Gesa Credit Union to request the one-time rate increase on Bump Certificate accounts. The rate on the Bump Certificate will be changed on the following business day of the date Gesa Credit Union receives the request. The bump option can only be exercised once during the term of the Certificate and does not increase the term of the certificate. The new interest will not be applied retroactively. The new interest rate will be the interest rate we are then offering on regular certificates (non- bump rate certificates) that have the same term and minimum balance. Bump Certificates are only available for consumer and IRA Certificates. Early withdrawal penalties will apply. Minimum deposit balance must be maintained to earn APY and fees may reduce earnings on the account. Special offer for a limited time only.	RXNQ72MLYV9C

Gesa Credit Union Honors Six Local Heroes During City of Chehalis’ First-Ever Fourth of July Celebration

Gesa in the News

Gesa and Tri-City Americans Extend Partnership

Gesa Commits $75,000+ to Spokane Wildfire Relief

Gesa Expands Into Oregon Through Bank Acquisition

Gesa Awards $10K+ to Tri-Cities Youth Baseball

Launch of the W.F. West and Centralia High School Affinity Debit Cards

Support local heroes: apply for Gesa’s 2026 grant program

$150,000 awarded in scholarships to nearly 70 Students

Gesa Credit Union to Sponsor the Stage at Chehalis’ First-Ever Fourth of July Celebration

Members Help Plant More Than 97,000 Trees Across the Pacific Northwest

Gesa CIO Andrew Chung Wins 2026 ORBIE Award

Let’s get in touch

Getting started is easy!

Already a member?

Notes & Fees Glossary

* * * * *