Trinity Oaks is launching a new, free outdoors program in spring 2017 for StarKids – the sons and daughters of fallen first responders and combat veterans. Losing a parent changes a child’s life forever. When that parent falls as a hero, a first responder or veteran who was helping others or protecting our freedoms, the trauma is multiplied even further. Since 1996, The State of Texas has lost 292
peace officers in the line of duty. In that same period our nation has lost 3,430 law enforcement officers, 1,452 firefighters, and tens of thousands of military veterans. Hundreds more, a majority of whom were fathers and mothers, have fallen responding to disasters, working as game wardens, or providing emergency medical services. The purpose of the Trinity Oaks’ StarKids program is to help these sons and daughters as well as honor their families’ sacrifice with a unique outdoors experience. Trinity Oaks Founder and President Tom Snyder explains, “’We have seen time and time again in our work with families of fallen veterans that time in nature with other likeminded children has a huge impact on coping with grief. Helping children of first responders is just a natural extension of that work and a way for us to give back even more.”
StarKids focuses on children of fallen military veterans who died in combat and first responders, police officers, game wardens, disaster responders, and firefighters, between the ages of 10 and 18 years. Each child is paired with a member of the fallen first responder’s agency or military branch as a hunting buddy and mentor. Both become “hunter safety certified” together prior to the hunt. Groups of 4-6 StarKids and their buddies then participate in a unique hunt together for deer, hog, or on an exotic hunt, depending on the group’s interest.
