BOULDER, CO- One Denver-area charity is aiming to ease the burden that families who lose their children experience. The Martyred Angels Foundation aims to provide services and resources to families who have suffered through the loss of a child.
John Wayne Vogels founded the organization after suffering a profound loss of his own.
Vogels was inspired to found the organization after his son, Bladyn, died in a tragic drowning accident at the age of 3. The organization also provides its charity to children that have lost a sibling, or lost their parents. More than 50,000 children in the United States die every year, according to the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics.
The organization initially started off as a Boulder-area motorcycle club. Vogels became inspired to develop the foundation as a dedicated charity in the next step in its history.
"People were starting to look at the organization as your stereotypical motorcycle club and that wasn't what it was supposed to be," Vogels said of the change, speaking to Law Enforcement Today of his group's history and mission.
"We provide community support to families struggling after the tragic death of a child," reads the organization's mission statement.
The organization features an equine program in which families of the lost child recieve the opportunity to enjoy riding on horseback.
The organization is currently developing a planned equine campground in Colorado, in consultation with an architect to design a site that best meet the needs of families stricken by tragedy. Grieving families will be provided with 24/7 access to the facility- an idea Vogel says will assist those suffering from outbreaks of PTSD.
"They can come and spend time with horses on the property and get themselves grounded again."
Eventually, Vogel hopes to develop equine campgrounds across the country for families that the organization serves.
"My eventual goal is to have these everywhere. I get calls from families across the United States that have lost a child. Right now, it's difficult for me to get families from other states to do our equine program because of costs."
The Martyred Angels Foundation also provides grief support camps, as well as grief support meetings in the community to aid members of the public afflicted with the loss of their beloved relatives.
"It's about creating a unity of support from those who understand... We're there, and there's a place they can go to with people that understand. I'm starting to get more interest from people."
Learn more about the Martyred Angels Foundation here.
John Wayne Vogels founded the organization after suffering a profound loss of his own.
Vogels was inspired to found the organization after his son, Bladyn, died in a tragic drowning accident at the age of 3. The organization also provides its charity to children that have lost a sibling, or lost their parents. More than 50,000 children in the United States die every year, according to the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics.
The organization initially started off as a Boulder-area motorcycle club. Vogels became inspired to develop the foundation as a dedicated charity in the next step in its history.
"People were starting to look at the organization as your stereotypical motorcycle club and that wasn't what it was supposed to be," Vogels said of the change, speaking to Law Enforcement Today of his group's history and mission.
"We provide community support to families struggling after the tragic death of a child," reads the organization's mission statement.
The organization features an equine program in which families of the lost child recieve the opportunity to enjoy riding on horseback.
The organization is currently developing a planned equine campground in Colorado, in consultation with an architect to design a site that best meet the needs of families stricken by tragedy. Grieving families will be provided with 24/7 access to the facility- an idea Vogel says will assist those suffering from outbreaks of PTSD.
"They can come and spend time with horses on the property and get themselves grounded again."
Eventually, Vogel hopes to develop equine campgrounds across the country for families that the organization serves.
"My eventual goal is to have these everywhere. I get calls from families across the United States that have lost a child. Right now, it's difficult for me to get families from other states to do our equine program because of costs."
The Martyred Angels Foundation also provides grief support camps, as well as grief support meetings in the community to aid members of the public afflicted with the loss of their beloved relatives.
"It's about creating a unity of support from those who understand... We're there, and there's a place they can go to with people that understand. I'm starting to get more interest from people."
Learn more about the Martyred Angels Foundation here.
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