Sponsors

American Legion Cathay Post #186 named as recipient of Gesa Credit Union’s Local Heroes Grant Award 

Cathay Post #186 to use $5000 grant for supporting Puget Sound Hometown Heroes 

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON. (October 17, 2025) ‒ American Legion Cathay Post #186 today announced it has been chosen by the Gesa Community Foundation as a recipient of Gesa Credit Union’s Local Heroes Grant Award, receiving $5000 in funding. With the award money, Cathay Post #186 plans to honor our Hometown Heroes—military service members, veterans, and first responders—through workplace visits and appreciation events.

“At Gesa, we are honored to support the Local Heroes who continue to make a positive difference in our communities,” said Amber Merrill, Community Relations Manager at Gesa Credit Union. “Organizations like American Legion Cathay Post #186 bring that mission to life through dedicated service that makes a direct impact where it’s needed most. We’re proud to stand alongside them and support the vital work they’re doing locally.”

Gesa’s Local Heroes Grant Program offers funding to organizations that assist Local Heroes across the Pacific Northwest, including firefighters, healthcare workers, law enforcement, educators and Veterans. This year, 52 organizations were awarded through the program, totaling more than half-a-million dollars in funding. Since 2021, Gesa’s Local Heroes Grant Program has provided over $2 million to more than 200 organizations across the region.   

Erin McGlenn, Cathay Post #186 Commander said, “We are deeply grateful to Gesa Credit Union for this generous grant. It allows us to honor and support our Hometown Heroes—military, veterans and first responders who serve and protect us every day.”

For more information about American Legion Cathay Post #186 and the projects funded by this grant, visit https://www.cathaypost186.org

###

Cathay Post #186 is part of the American Legion, our nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization.  Our vision statement is “Veterans Strengthening America.” Cathay Post #186 holds the distinction of being founded by Chinese American veterans in Seattle following the end of World War II.  Since 1945, our Post has a legacy of ceaseless patriotism and devotion to our Nation, to the Seattle Chinatown International District community and to its members and families.  Today, Cathay Post #186 is a fully integrated post and is open to veterans of all ethnic backgrounds.  

Gesa Credit Union is one of Washington’s largest credit unions, with $6.4 billion in assets, and is more than 305,000 members strong. Gesa is a full-service financial institution that offers a complete array of consumer, mortgage, and business products and services. Headquartered in Richland, Washington, Gesa operates 45 branches, loan centers, full-service student-operated campus branches at Washington State University, and 18 student-operated high school branches across Washington state. The Gesa Community Foundation, established in 2022, further supports Gesa’s ongoing commitment to local communities and charitable giving, which includes support for schools, Local Heroes groups, and community organizations through its Affinity Debit Card Program, as well as through its annual youth scholarships, and free financial and educational resources available to members and the general public. For more information, visit gesa.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Erin McGlenn, Cathay Post #186 Commander

American Legion Cathay Post #186                          

Commander@CathayPost186.org