The Big Waves community reflects on why they volunteer and what keeps them going.

Vaughn Bigelow Jr., or Bubba to those of us who loved him, was a water polo player in Colorado with a contagious and big, energetic smile. He had a competitive spirit. He was the one who cheered on his teammates the loudest, the friend who welcomed the new kid with open arms, and the son and brother who filled his family’s home with laughter and fun.

The Bigelows’ life was busy and centered around school, water polo practice and tournaments, carpools, team dinners, and summer swim practices. A typical busy family life, we all know too well.

And then everything changed.

On June 14, 2018, Vaughn was tragically killed in a road rage shooting in Westminster, Colorado, as their family made their way to a routine dentist appointment.

Purpose from Pain

Pain and grief filled the spaces where Bubba once was. Shock rippled through the Broomfield, Westminster, Arvada, and Colorado communities as the news spread. And the Bigelow family found themselves in a club no one ever wants to join.

And in the aftermath of losing their child, a question surfaced: What do we do now?

This is how Big Waves was born.

A Bigger Community

In 2019, friends, family, and even strangers came together to form Big Waves, and grief stopped being the whole story. It became something else.

Hope.

Friends volunteered to be board members, parents became advocates for gun safety, and water polo athletes became part of the Bigelow and Big Waves family.

A community began to rise.

Ashley Lucero, a volunteer with Big Waves, shares the moment that transformed her, “The first time I met Asa. The shooting happened in June, and I met him a few months later in September at his brother’s funeral. I will never forget finally speaking with that brave, yet broken, little boy in his wheelchair. In that moment, all I wanted was to fix everything—to take away his pain, all of it. That experience has stayed with me and continues to shape why this work matters so deeply to me.”

*Shane and Meghan at the Golf Tournament*

Shane Goldwood says, “I have seen firsthand how a family can take the worst event possible and turn around to give back and bring awareness to important issues, such as gun safety and education”.

Making the World a Little Safer

Gun Safety and Awareness

One of Big Wave’s missions is to advocate for gun sensibility and safety by encouraging honest, respectful conversations within our families, communities, and government agencies to implement collaborative, common-ground measures to eliminate the tragic outcomes associated with gun violence.

We aim to reduce the number of injuries and deaths caused by gun accidents and gun violence by providing education, programming, and safe gun storage to anyone who is in need.

*The Bigelow and Hoven kids on a trip before Bubba’s passing.*

“We have distributed countless gun locks, which helps me think our world is a little safer because of it,” says Brian Hoven, board member. Big Waves' gun safety awareness efforts have led to measurable results across Colorado communities and the United States.

3,000 free gun locks have been distributed in Colorado in partnership with community organizations and law enforcement.
Nearly 30 gun safety workshops have been funded and supported in New Jersey and Colorado over the last six years. Thank you, Range129!
Gun locks have been shipped to every state in the U.S., making homes safer.

*Erin Abramson and her daughter volunteering at the Golf Tournament.*

Erin Abramson says, “I’m a huge advocate for gun safety, so the fact that they've sent gun locks all around the country is helping to make people safer all across the US.”

Turning Ripples into Big Waves of Positivity

The Vaughn Bigelow Jr. Scholarship supports Big Waves' second mission: creating a ripple of positivity by enriching kids' lives through water polo. This means we encourage Colorado school districts to include water polo as a school-sponsored program and to provide collegiate scholarships to water polo athletes.

*Joseph Youngblood on the left with fellow board members at the Big Waves Golf Tournament.*

Joe Youngblood, a Big Waves board member, says, “What keeps me coming back is the ripple effect. Big Waves isn’t just a foundation — it’s a movement toward positivity, awareness, and connection.

As someone who has always valued teamwork — from swimming at Lehigh to coaching and working in my community — I believe strongly in the power of shared effort. Every event, whether it’s the golf tournament or community outreach, brings together people who want to make a difference. Watching that collective energy translate into support for youth, mental health, and safe communities is incredibly meaningful.

It also keeps Vaughn Jr.’s memory present in a way that celebrates life. That’s powerful.”

Scholarship recipients have:

Attended top universities, like MIT
Pursued careers in engineering, medicine, public health, and business
Mentored younger water polo players
Represented Colorado water polo nationally and abroad.

The Vaughn Bigelow Jr. Scholarship honors Bubba’s life and love for water polo and his spirit of leadership and kindness.

Since its inception in 2019, the Vaughn Bigelow Jr. scholarship has supported the higher education of 11 water polo players. That’s collectively 44 years of college! We’re proud to support Colorado high school senior water polo players who embody leadership, integrity, and perseverance.

Because of Bubba, Big Waves is also looking at the mental health of student-athletes.

Today, 38% of female high school athletes and 22% of male high school athletes struggle with anxiety or depression, according to the NCAA.org.

So Big Waves is working on a Balanced Mind program to help teens identify cognitive distortions—harmful thought patterns that fuel anxiety and self-doubt.

Students learn:

Thoughts are not facts.
Failure is not identity.
Asking for help is a strength.

As Joe puts it, “It has deepened my understanding of how critical community is during both joy and hardship.

Professionally, I’ve spent my career helping businesses navigate complex challenges. Personally, Big Waves has reminded me that the most important work often happens outside of boardrooms — it happens in relationships, in support systems, and in standing beside people when it matters most.

Big Waves has reinforced for me that giving back isn’t just about writing a check. It’s about showing up. It’s about using your skills, your network, and your voice to create something that outlives you.

And that’s something worth being part of.”

Keeping the Ripple Going

If you’d like to be part of our ripple of positivity, we’ve got a spot for you—whether it’s volunteering, sponsoring an event, or donating. Contact us at hello@bigwavesinc.org

Why Should You Volunteer for Big Waves?