10/13/2026
From Grief, a Mission of Hope
On April 9, 2011, the Vogels family experienced the unimaginable when their three-year-old son, Bladyn James Wayne Vogels, died in a drowning accident. In the years that followed, John, his wife, and their daughter Raven learned how profoundly the death of a child changes a family—and how important it is to have people who continue to show up when the rest of the world moves on.
For John, Raven & Teresa, horses became part of that journey. Their horse, Dakota, offered quiet, connection, and a place where words were not always necessary. That experience, together with the support their family received, helped inspire John to create Martyred Angels Foundation so other families grieving the death of a child would not have to walk that road alone.
To learn more about the Vogels family's story and the journey that led to Martyred Angels Foundation, read https://martyredangelsfoundation.org/our-story/
Support Martyred Angels: https://secure.anedot.com/136f0a05-b074-4350-857a-cbebba999d25/donate
More From Martyred Angels: https://coloradogives.org/donate/MartyredAngels
Today, Martyred Angels Foundation continues that mission by creating spaces where grieving families can find connection, understanding, and support—including through equine-facilitated experiences, grief groups, and other programs designed around the needs of families after the death of a child.
MARTYRED ANGELS FOUNDATION
PO Box 17423
Boulder, CO 80308-0423