Gesa Members Help Plant 73,000+ Trees Across the PNW

​Gesa, one of Washington’s largest community-focused credit unions, is proud to announce the continued success of its Forevergreen Affinity Card, an impact program created in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation. In its second year, through member participation, the program raised over $181,000 – nearly triple the amount raised in the first year – and directly supported planting more than 73,000 trees across the Pacific Northwest. 
 
“From day one, the Forevergreen Affinity Card has been about creating simple, everyday opportunities for our members to give back,” said Brandon Allison, AVP of Community Impact at Gesa Credit Union. “It’s incredible to see this program grow thanks to our members who have joined us in making a difference just by using their debit card. With every swipe they’re helping plant more trees in our region –supporting a stronger future for our communities.”
 
Launched in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation in 2023, the Forevergreen Affinity Card is one of several debit card designs available through Gesa’s Affinity Debit Card Program, an impact initiative that donates funds every time a participating card is used. To date, the Forevergreen Affinity Card alone has raised more than $247,000 and helped fund the planting of more than 104,000 trees across the Pacific Northwest.
 
"Gesa Credit Union's commitment to planting trees in forests of greatest need is inspiring and has powerful benefits for local communities. We're excited to celebrate our partnership together," said Dan Morrow, Vice President, Partnerships at the Arbor Day Foundation.
 
This Year’s Impact
From January to April 2024, a total of 200,000 trees including, Western hemlock, Western larch, ponderosa pine, and Douglas fir, were planted throughout Washington to support the Washington Department of Natural Resources Managed Lands. Gesa’s contribution alone funded more than 35,000 of those trees. These efforts will have a lasting impact on the future of the region’s forests.
 
In addition to this effort, Gesa helped fund plantings through the Climate Resilient Watershed Tree Plantings project in Washington. This initiative focuses on restoring forests affected by wildfires, and rehabilitating floodplain forests to help protect nearby communities from severe flooding. A key component of the project included supporting regional Tribes in their environmental goals.
 
Together, these projects demonstrate how everyday debit card use through Gesa’s Forevergreen Affinity Card can contribute to impactful work throughout the Pacific Northwest.
 
Affinity Debit Card Program
Gesa Credit Union proudly offers an extensive suite of Affinity Debit Cards that give back to local organizations with every swipe – all at no cost to its members. With more than 65 Affinity Debit Cards to choose from, Gesa members can select a card that supports a cause they are passionate about, such as local schools, planting trees in the Pacific Northwest, or groups honoring local hero like healthcare workers, firefighters, law enforcement, educators, and veterans. To date, Gesa’s Affinity Debit Card Program has donated more than $3 million to local organizations.
 
All Affinity Debit Cards are available exclusively at Gesa Credit Union and are free to Gesa members with a checking account. There is no fee for members to switch their card to any of the designs.  Anyone who lives, works, or worships in Washington, Idaho, or Oregon is eligible to become a member and support local causes.
 
For more information about Gesa Credit Union and its Affinity Debit Card Program visit www.gesa.com/debit-cards-and-affinity-partnerships/. For more information about the Arbor Day Foundation, visit arborday.org.