Building a brighter future

Michael Walker Construction Foundation check presentation

The Michael Walker Construction Foundation kicks off its inaugural event to support Camps for Kids

“We just want to say that we appreciate Cook Children’s. Walking through the campus, we saw kids playing on the playground. It didn’t feel like a place kids would go to get treatment. It can be scary, but it shouldn’t have to be like that.” – Kristan Kubala, Michael Walker Construction

When Josh and Kristan Kubala started their own construction company, they struggled with a problem that many business owners face: picking a name.

“The hardest part of starting a company was coming up with a name,” Josh said. “We wanted it to mean something. We decided on our kids’ middle names, and that rings true to our purpose.”

Today, the family remains at the heart of Michael Walker Construction. Driven by a desire to give back, Josh and Kristan started the Michael Walker Construction Foundation to help other families and inspire generosity in their industry.

Having worked for larger construction companies in the past, the Kubalas knew a golf tournament would be a popular way to get industry partners involved.

“Golf tournaments are big events that raise a lot of money,” Josh said. “We’re a smaller general contractor, and we wanted to involve our partners, but since this is our first event, we wanted to make sure we could fill the space.”

Rather than a traditional golf tournament, the Kubalas organized the inaugural Michael Walker Construction Foundation Putt-A-Round, hosted at The Puttery in The Colony. Guests enjoyed mini golf, food, drinks and mingling with friends.

“We reached out to our friends in the construction industry, our trade partners, clients and support organizations like our insurance company,” Josh said. “We had around 95 people in attendance, and we want to grow next year.”

The Putt-A-Round raised $21,650 for Cook Children’s. When deciding where to designate their donation, the Kubalas were particularly moved by our Camps for Kids program.

“We know so many people that Cook Children’s has helped,” Kristan said. “We love doing family experiences, so giving to Camps for Kids is meaningful. They make sure that the child gets to go to camp, and also their siblings.”

By keeping family at the heart of their business, the Michael Walker Construction Foundation is helping to build a brighter future for kids in our communities.