Gesa Credit Union Partners with Local Heroes Statewide to Host 7th Annual Stock-the-Sock Holiday Toy Drive Benefitting Local Hero Initiatives across Washington

Gesa, a community-focused credit union, today announced it will partner with Local Heroes groups across Washington for its 7th annual Stock-the-Sock Holiday Toy Drive. From now until December 19, community members are encouraged to donate toys in the oversized holiday stockings found at every Gesa branch. All donations will be donated to Local Hero initiatives across the state.

“We are so grateful for all the care and compassion that Local Heroes provide for our communities, which is why this year we are honored to partner with several groups to gift toys to those who need it most,” said Angie Brotherton, Assistant Vice President of Community Relations and Impact. “The Stock-the-Sock drive is an initiative I look forward to every year, and the impact we make every holiday season wouldn’t be possible without our generous members. Through their toy donations this year, we hope to be able to make an even larger impact on the lives of many this holiday season.” 

Toys collected at Gesa branches in Lynnwood, Kirkland, Seattle, Tukwila, Puyallup, and Tacoma will be distributed by Sea Mar Community healthcare workers, while those in Bremerton will be shared by Peninsula Community Health Services. In Yakima, toys will be given out by the Yakima Memorial Foundation, and firefighters from the City of Walla Walla Co. Fire will pass out toys received from the Walla Walla location. Education workers from Communities in Schools of Tri-Cities will distribute toys from the Tri-Cities branch locations, while branches in Moses Lake and Wenatchee will be teaming up to support Communities in Schools of North Central Washington. In Spokane and Pullman, toys received will be shared by Operation Spokane Heroes, benefiting local military and veteran communities.

“This year Sea Mar anticipates distributing over 15,000 toys to more than 5,000 low-income families,” said Jennifer Marroquin, Toy Donation Coordinator. “It is because of community partners such as Gesa Credit Union, we are able to provide toys to thousands of underprivileged children within nine Western Washington counties during the holiday season that would otherwise go without.”

This year, Gesa’s goal is to collect 500 toys across Washington. Those who wish to stay up to date with the toy drive goal can visit the tracker posted on Gesa Credit Union’s social media channels. Examples of gifts to donate include stuffed animals, Lego sets, dolls and prizes. 

For more information about Gesa Credit Union’s involvement in the community, visit https://www.gesa.com/community.