Gesa Credit Union Members Help Plant More Than 73,000 Trees Through Use of Forevergreen Affinity Card

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on April 28, 2025

Gesa Credit Union‘s Forevergreen Affinity Card, an impact program created in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, raised $181,000 in its second year. Through member participation, the program nearly tripled 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.

Posted in Community Impact, Regional Member News, Washington.