When Beau and Ronya Buzbee tragically lost their daughter, Hailey Buzbee, they experienced every parent’s worst nightmare. Yet amid unimaginable grief, they also witnessed something extraordinary: a community that rallied around their family with compassion, determination and support.
That experience became the foundation for Hailey’s Army for Children, a nonprofit organization established in February to honor Hailey’s life while working to better protect children and support families.
“Ronya and I had such an abundance of support while we were trying to find Hailey,” says Beau, president of Hailey’s Army for Children. “We also saw how much work is needed to better protect our families and children.”
The organization was created with a mission centered on advocacy, education, family support and community engagement. Through those efforts, the Buzbees hope to transform awareness into action while helping families navigate an increasingly complex world.
One of the nonprofit’s primary focuses is advocacy. Hailey’s Army works alongside coalitions, community leaders and lawmakers to strengthen protections for children and families. As conversations continue at both the state and federal levels, the organization aims to help shape policies that address modern safety challenges, particularly those involving online risks.
Education is another cornerstone of the nonprofit’s work. Through workshops, presentations and family-centered programming, Hailey’s Army provides practical tools for parents and children to learn about online and physical safety together.
“We try to take a unique approach,” Beau says. “We want families to learn together and make these topics easier to discuss.”
Recent programs have included parent education nights focused on the mental health impacts of social media. Participants created family activity bags while listening to psychologists discuss healthy digital habits and communication strategies. The nonprofit is also launching a program called Shielded, designed for middle and high school girls, that combines online safety education with physical safety awareness and self-defense techniques.
Another initiative currently in development is a Parent Preparedness Binder. The resource will help families organize important information about their children so they can respond more quickly in an emergency.
“We hope it never has to be used,” Beau says. “But it’s better to be proactive.”
In addition to prevention and education, Hailey’s Army also supports families experiencing the trauma of a missing child. The organization helps connect families with trusted resources and offers encouragement during some of the most difficult moments imaginable.
The nonprofit also extends its work beyond safety initiatives. Through scholarships awarded to students at Hamilton Southeastern and Fishers high schools, Hailey’s Army celebrates young people who demonstrate kindness, character and service to others.
“We know the smallest act of kindness can be life-saving,” Beau says. “Great communities are built on those acts of kindness.”
Looking ahead, the organization’s goal is to establish sustainable programs that can grow throughout Indiana and beyond. Community members can support the mission by attending events, participating in educational programs, following the organization’s work, advocating for stronger protections for children and helping expand these efforts.
For Beau and Ronya, every initiative is rooted in the qualities that made their beloved daughter Hailey special.
“The way she cared for others is what inspires me every day,” Beau says. “By sharing who Hailey was, I hope those qualities continue to inspire others, too.”
Through Hailey’s Army for Children, her legacy lives on — not only in remembrance but in meaningful action that seeks to make children safer and communities stronger.
For more information and to see upcoming events, visit haileysarmyforchildren.org.
