Legacy Award: Charlie Walker | Blue Beacon, Inc.
(Pictured: Maggie Hemmer Board Chair; Charlie Tuttle, Blue Beacon, Inc.)
Charlie Walker was a self-made businessman, rancher and philanthropist from modest beginnings. He made his mark in the community through his business, Blue Beacon, Inc. and more notably through his philanthropic giving, and the ripple effect it has caused.
At the time the Foundation was being founded in 1999, Charlie created the Rolling Hills Zoo. In 2001, he contributed the lead gift to create Salina’s teen center, “The City,” and also to many other places including the Salina Catholic Schools, Salina Rescue Mission and the campaign to erect the Kaye Pogue Hospice Center. However, the most meaningful gift given by the family was a lead donation to build Tammy Walker Cancer Center in memory of his daughter.
Charlie was a founding donor of the Foundation through Blue Beacon, Inc. (formerly Green Lantern, Inc.) and the Walker Family Foundation. Before he died, in 2012, he set up an endowment at GSCF to help support zoo operations to make sure funds would be available to carry on his legacy after his death.
Charlie’s spirit of giving also lives on through his children and grandchildren, who are making their own mark in the community, some of which you can see in our revitalized downtown.