September 23, 2025

Rebecca Dunn, a major supporter of the conservative activist Charlie Kirk, gave touching remarks at his memorial service in Arizona. She recalled how, nearly 12 years ago, she and her late husband Bill Dunn first met Kirk when he was just starting Turning Point USA. Back then, Kirk was only 20 years old and full of big dreams. "Charlie felt like a son to me," Dunn said. She was so impressed by his passion that she invited him home to explain his mission. He told them he wanted to start two Turning Point USA chapters in North Florida, asking for about $50,000 to make it happen. Rebecca Dunn shared a funny story: "If you raise half, we'll match it," she told him. Two days later, Kirk called to say he'd raised the full $25,000 himself! "He was not in his hometown or state, just 20 years old, and yet he met our challenge," she said with a smile. "I told him, 'Well, Charlie, I guess we owe you a check.'" From that small start, Kirk’s organization exploded into a powerhouse with tens of millions in assets and yearly income. Dunn and her husband kept giving, eventually donating millions. Turning Point USA aimed to spread conservative values across every campus in America, led by Kirk’s unstoppable energy. At the memorial, tens of thousands gathered at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, to honor the young leader who was tragically shot at a campus event. Kirk’s wife, Erika, gave an emotional speech, forgiving the shooter and pledging to continue the organization’s work as she steps in as CEO. Former President Donald Trump called Kirk a "great American hero" and "martyr," promising that both the crowd and history would remember him forever. Rebecca Dunn’s story shows how one young man’s fire, aided by thoughtful donors, fueled a movement that shook political campuses nationwide.

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Tags: Charlie kirk, Turning point usa, Rebecca dunn, Conservative activism, Memorial service, Philanthropy,