Doug Walker has been a member of the Ransburg YMCA since he was five years old when his family moved to the east side. The sole purpose for moving to the east side of town back then was because his dad heard that a Y was going to be built there. From that day forward, the Y, which was two blocks from his house, would be his playground all day long.
The Y was a staple in the community. Doug says, “Along with Community Hospital and Warren Township, these three entities were the pillars most essential to the community.”
Because Doug practically grew up at the Ransburg YMCA, he was invited to join the Advisory Board circa 1978. He served two separate terms as Chairman of the Association Board of Directors at Ransburg YMCA. Today, Doug is Managing Partner at Walker Professional Insurance, and a member of the Board of Directors for the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis and a member of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis Board of Trustees.
When asked why he continues to volunteer for the Y after all these years, he responds, “The Y has been my church. It held me together when I didn’t think the church was there. It has been my spiritual connection and provided me with a sense of family and friendship.”
Doug and his wife, Kristen, recently made a substantial donation to the fundraising campaign towards the development of the Ascension St. Vincent YMCA in Westfield. One might ask why Doug would invest in a different Y besides the one where he grew up as a five-year-old. For Doug, the answer is simple. “Ransburg has a unique culture of family and friends that can’t be duplicated. But, I believe that Westfield should have the same opportunities to create their own identity and their own Y experience.”
Doug knows that there are people in Westfield who have resources to help create a unique identity and Y experience that will support the needs of the community that’s similar to other Ys in central Indiana. He adds, “The mission of the Y is like a three-legged stool of spirit, mind and body. With programs like youth development, veteran services, chronic disease, camps and LIVESTRONG, the Y is more than a gym. It’s a place where a workout isn’t just about physical exercise; it’s about mental wellness and spiritual connections.”
Doug is an avid supporter of the Y. He gives to the Y because it’s the place that has shaped him to be who he is today. You too can be a donor to the Y and support our efforts to help build a healthier, more equitable, more connected community. Visit our website to learn more. https://indymca.org/donate/