Guardian of the Children bikers want to comfort abused kids

EVERETT — Kids riding out troubled times can count on this two-wheeled crew.

Guardians of the Children welcomed its first local members in January. At the Everett Eagles Club on Broadway, the bikers group formed the new Cascade Chapter.

Their goal is straightforward. A mission statement, in part, commands them to “be an answer to the prayer of an abused child or teen for courage, support and protection.”

“We’re a group of people who want to help our community, help our kids and we happen to ride motorcycles,” said chapter President Joe Wardlaw, who goes by the road name “Huckleberry.”

They start out getting to know a family through a meet-and-greet. It’s an intake session, much like one a social services agency might perform, though it’s anything but clinical. Referrals can come from child advocacy groups or victims support groups.

Decked out in black vests, the chapter shows up as a group to the child’s house. Often, they bring riders from other nearby chapters.

“The more people who show up, the more empowering it is to the child,” Wardlaw said.

The protocols are laid out by the national organization, a nonprofit with chapters throughout United States and Canada.

Each child receives a small vest designating him or her a “little guardian.”

“We tell them when we give them the vest that they’re part of our family,” Wardlaw said. “The whole key is to get down to the child’s level, to not be intimidating.”

The group serves kids up to age 18. Children receive a teddy bear and a message: “If you ever feel like your teddy bear runs out of hugs, you let us know.”

Then, the Guardians are ready to lend any support they can. They might be called to show up at night if the child has a bad dream. They might provide an escort to school. The could accompany a family to court, or even stand guard outside the house to deter an abuser.

They aim to insulate children from harm, not to intimidate others.

“We’re not out there trying to be vigilantes,” Wardlaw said. “We’ll be that barrier. We’ll be that wall. We’ll be that obstacle.”

Guardians undergo criminal background checks, like other professionals who work with children. They don’t do anything unless the child’s parents or legal guardian say it’s OK.

Local Guardians got rave reviews after volunteering to serve meals at Cocoon House, a nonprofit that provides housing for homeless teens.

“I heard from the case manager that the kids really enjoyed the group,” said Julio Cortes, a Cocoon House public relations manager. “They’re a fun group. It shows that you can be big and tough and still give back to this community.”

Wardlaw, a Marine Corps veteran, grew up in Snohomish. These days, he runs an auto-body shop in town.

During a recent interview, he wore a black motorcycle vest. There was patch showing his status as chapter president. Another had his road name: “Huckleberry.” It comes from a famous line in the 1993 movie “Tombstone” when the Doc Holiday character played by Val Kilmer says, “I’m your huckleberry.” It means that he’s a loyal friend who won’t back down.

Wardlaw rode motorcycles when he was younger, but stopped while raising his son and daughter, now in their 20’s. He rekindled his interest a few years back. Before he discovered the Guardians, he belonged to a different bikers group that combats abuse.

“I have a great passion for motorcycles,” he said. “This just fit for me.”

People don’t need to own a motorcycle to join, but they do need access to one.

Riders in the Cascade chapter sport an eclectic mix of machinery: Harley-Davidsons and other big American bikes as well as foreign sports bikes. Wardlaw is part of the latter group, with a Kawasaki Ninja. A woman in the group rides a motor scooter.

“It’s not about what you ride,” he said.

Based in Everett, the new chapter extends from Seattle to the Canadian border. It’s the third in Washington state. To get started, they hosted what’s known as a patching ceremony. A handful of initiates got Guardian patches sewn on their vests.

The national group’s West Coast leader — known as an ambassador — was on hand at the Everett Eagles last month. The Arizona man goes by “Rosco.”

“Everybody has the same mission,” Rosco said. “Everyone has the same heart. We want to put an end to child abuse.”

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter:@NWhaglund.

More information

For more info on the Cascade chapter of Guardians of the Children, call 425-231-4844. The chapter’s next meeting is 11 a.m. Feb. 19 at the Everett Eagles club on 1216 Broadway, Everett. Visit the national Guardians of the Children website at www.guardiansofthechildren.com.