Improving a community for all ages

Harper J. Ransburg Branch YMCA has been an anchor of Indianapolis’s east side for over 60 years, serving a diverse community of many age groups and walks of life. With a mission statement to build healthy spirit, mind and body for all, the Ransburg YMCA is an integral part of the east side community.

A 60-year partnership

Decades before the inception of WalkerHughes Insurance, Walker & Associates Insurance was founded by the late Doug Sr. and Joanna Walker. The Walker family joined the Ransburg YMCA in 1960, when the YMCA branch was just one year old, and have remained active members ever since. Their son, Doug Walker, grew up visiting the Ransburg YMCA and enjoying its youth programs. Today, he’s served on the organization’s Board of Directors for over 35 years – six of those years as Chairman of the Board.

Estimated to be in the early nineties, Doug Walker (right) is pictured here receiving an award for his service to the YMCA over many years.

Initially introduced by the Walker family’s involvement, the agency’s team quickly established deep connections of their own to the Ransburg YMCA. With many members donating their time and personal funds, the branch is as special to the Indianapolis WalkerHughes office as it is to the surrounding community.

Doug Walker (center) receiving the James L. Kittle Lifetime Achievement award in 2012. This is the highest honor given by the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis to a volunteer and he is only one of about 35 people who have received this in the 167 year history of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis.

“The Ransburg YMCA provides a safe place for children and teens to grow and learn, and it provides a sense of community for our adults to stay healthy and prosper as well,” said Brenda Russell, customer service agent with WalkerHughes Insurance. “We love the opportunity to carry on Doug Sr.’s legacy, as the Ransburg YMCA meant the world to him.”

“The Ransburg YMCA provides a safe place for children and teens to grow and learn, and it provides a sense of community for our adults to stay healthy and prosper as well.”

– Brenda Russell, customer service agent with WalkerHughes Insurance

Giving back to a proud community

Ransburg YMCA provides crucial programming to a community where 30% of residents live below the poverty level.*

Walker and a grandfather, participating in Breakfast with Santa, with his grandson.

There’s a full-day licensed Early Learning Center for preschoolers, after-school basketball programs for teens, exercise programs for seniors and more. There are also large annual giving campaigns and regular community events, with which the WalkerHughes Insurance team is actively involved.

Typically, WalkerHughes sponsors the annual Good Friday community breakfast, multiple teams at the annual golf fundraiser and a family’s gifts every Christmas through the YMCA’s giving tree. “The WalkerHughes Insurance team has been part of Ransburg YMCA for over 60 years,” said Nancy Short, executive director of Harper J. Ransburg Branch YMCA. “They’ve had a huge impact on our programs and our community at large.”

Although COVID presented challenges and many YMCA events looked different in 2020, WalkerHughes Insurance is more dedicated than ever to supporting their diverse community that swells with east side pride.

“The WalkerHughes Insurance team has been part of Ransburg YMCA for over 60 years.”

– Nancy Short, executive director of Harper J. Ransburg Branch YMCA

Many ways to help

Each and every program at Ransburg YMCA needs support and could benefit from a $10k donation. However, Ransburg YMCA would use the funds to provide 44 weeks of early learning education to preschool-aged children. “It would mean so much to our team to be able to present the Ransburg YMCA with a $10,000 check,” said Russell. “Seeing the smiling faces of all the children the Ransburg YMCA positively impacts says it all.”

Vote below by sharing or commenting on this story. Your vote gets Harper J. Ransburg Branch YMCA one step closer to a $10,000 donation, which could provide 44 weeks of early learning education for preschool-aged children. Visit WalkerHughes Insurance and Harper J. Ransburg Branch YMCA  to learn more.

*2016 Indy Vitals and Polis Center at IUPUI