Gesa takes on Hometown Heroes program

PULLMAN - Veterans Service Officer Becky Buri was presented with gift certificates for veterans on Wednesday, June 14, at 2 p.m.

Gesa employees Personal Financial Representative Anne Aylsworth and Branch Manager Jennafer McCutchen at the Gesa Credit Union, 1170 Southeast Bishop Boulevard, in Pullman, presented Buri with the certificates from Gesa's Hometown Heroes Program.

Community Relationships Specialist Stephenie Morales explained that several branches in Pullman do the Hometown Heroes Program through Gesa and partner with Washington State University.

Morales stated that the program includes local heroes such as veterans, healthcare workers, law enforcement, teachers, and firefighters.

"We are trying to hit everyone in our region which has a presence," she said, adding that the local heroes are just some of the pillars they hold firmly within the credit union.

The gift cards presented to veterans were something that Gesa wanted to do to thank some of the departments; Morales explained that they separate gifts from the Hometown Heroes program.

"We have the local hero grants that we do through Gesa and an outreach team," Morales said, explaining that the outreach team does other things to reach out.

Morales wishes they could do the program in every town and city, and many local hometown heroes need to be acknowledged.

"I do wish we could have a bigger impact," she said, "It's a good cause."