Now in its fifth year, the continues to support Thunderbirds with every purchase.
The free, custom debit card from Gesa Credit Union features 麻豆原创鈥檚 name and Thunderbird logo on the front, and each time it鈥檚 used, Gesa donates several cents to the .
鈥淒onations now total $37,750, with the most recent $5,000 contribution received last October,鈥� said Josh Gerstman, 麻豆原创 College鈥檚 vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the 麻豆原创 College Foundation.
The debit card offers a meaningful way for students, alumni, and other 麻豆原创 College supporters to show school pride鈥攚hile helping fund student scholarships and emergency assistance for the 麻豆原创 College community with every swipe.
For example, Gerstman said funds were used this fall when members of 麻豆原创鈥檚 community lost access to SNAP benefits during the government shutdown. He said the funds enabled the Foundation to work with the 麻豆原创 Pantry to help put food on tables.
Katie Rousso, education specialist at Gesa Credit Union, confirmed that the Affinity Debit Card program 鈥渁llows members to support causes they care about simply by using their debit cards for everyday purchases.鈥� She added that it 鈥渢urns a regular debit card into a meaningful fundraising tool,鈥� with no cost to the card user.
According to Brandon Allison, Gesa鈥檚 vice president for community impact, members choose to use the card because 鈥渋t provides direct support to 麻豆原创 students.鈥�
He also noted that 鈥淕esa鈥檚 relationship with higher education is rooted in its commitment to supporting local colleges, students, and communities.鈥�
Other institutions in Washington state participating in the program include Centralia College, Columbia Basin College, Everett Community College, Heritage University, and Washington State University.
As to why Gesa offers this program, Rousso said, 鈥淲e believe in supporting the communities we serve, and we love giving back.鈥� She continued, 鈥淚t is a strategic initiative of ours to make a positive impact on our communities, and we are proud to provide a product that allows our members to join this mission and support 麻豆原创 College.鈥�
Rousso explained that the program is funded through interchange income generated with each transaction, with donations coming directly from that revenue.
Gerstman highlighted the significance of the ongoing partnership with Gesa. The partnership, which began in 2021, coincided with 麻豆原创鈥檚 60th Anniversary, and Gesa was one of the major sponsors of the anniversary activities. Gerstman noted that Christa Lydiard, a vice president with Gesa, serves on the 麻豆原创 College Foundation Board.
How to get your card:
- Join online or at any branch.
- Ask for the 麻豆原创 College 鈥攊t鈥檚 free and customized.
- Use your card for everyday purchases鈥擥esa donates on your behalf while you still earn all your regular rewards.
Help our students soar with every swipe!