Tammyʼs Army of Hope Foundation was inspired by Tammy R. Phillips’ mother. After the death of Tammy, her mother was engulfed with deep grief. After having such a close and loving relationship with her daughter, she found it extremely hard to accept her passing. She decided to turn her grief into positive by remembering those things that were near and dear to her daughter. For whatever unknown reason, Tammy strongly support breast cancer research and made it an unbreakable habit of walking in the Y-Me Breast Cancer Walk every single year for 20 years prior to her death. All of her friends and family knew of her unequivocal support of breast cancer.
After her passing, her mom, family, friends and co-workers wanted to continue her tradition and remember Tammy in the same way that she remembered and supported others. They all attempted to organize and walk in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk in April of 2010. However, because the cost to walk was extremely high per individual person, the group was not able to raise the amount of money needed to participate in the walk and decided to try the following year. In the meantime, there was the “Walk to Empower” walkathon better known as the Y-Me Race/Walk for a Cure held on Motherʼs Day, May 2010. This was the walk that Tammy walked in. It only required a small registration fee per person.
The group organized as a team called “Tammyʼs Army of Hope”. The group was able to raise about $1,000. From Motherʼs Day 2010 through Motherʼs Day 2012 Tammyʼs Team, continued to celebrate and remember her life and raise funds to cover research and provide support to breast cancer victims
and survivors.
Tammyʼs mother received the devastating news on her birthday July 23, 2012, that the Y-Me Breast Cancer Organization filed bankruptcy and closed its doors to business. Her mother could not accept that the team that had grown and supported the Y-Me Race/Walk for a Cure would no longer be able to continue the tradition that Tammy started so many years ago.
Tammy’s mother decided that it was time to formally organize the “Tammy’s Army of Hope Foundation (“TAHF”). She then started to take the required steps to organize as a 501(c)(3) organization.
In February of 2013, Tammyʼs mother made an inquiry of the Village of Lynwood to find out if there was a neighborhood park where she could hold a breast cancer walkathon. The Village of Lynwood was very accommodating and offered the Liberty Memorial Park. Not only did the Village offer the park, they offered their support. TAHF continues to use Liberty Memorial Park to remember and honor Tammy Phillips. In addition, the Village of Lynwood opened up the event to the residents of Lynwood inviting the community to come out and walk in memory of their individual loved ones who have suffered from any form of cancer.
This event has opened doors and provided an outlet for those who are dealing with the battle of cancer. It allows the entire community to come out and support an important cause, meet new friends and support each other.
To God Be the Glory for the Things He Has Done!
