Meet Tamara Warren

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Warren. 

Hi Tamara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story began the day my daughter passed away, October 1, 2003. You live your whole life and realize you’ve missed so much that you would have done differently or better. Seeing her throughout her illness show such courage and strength opened my eyes to my own appreciation of so much life has to offer and how we squander that precious gift. It made me want to give back in every possible way I could. As a cancer survivor myself I know how thin that line can get between being here and not. Having love and support from others makes that journey bearable. I call the Outer Banks of North Carolina my home. Being near the ocean is very much like life. It’s beautiful, sometimes breathtaking, but it also requires attention and care. Daily life has the challenge of pushing through the break to reach the calmness of the ocean. The struggle can be brutal on some days, but the rewards are vast and remarkable. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think the toughest part has been navigating the details of what people are experiencing, what their families are going through. Showing up and being present for whatever happens is the best part and to me the most important part of the process. My struggles are having enough time in a day to be of service where I’m needed most. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work professionally as an advocate for the elderly and also the environment. I work with patients and their families dealing with dementia and other ailments to ensure the last days of their lives are the best days of their lives. Dovetailing that with my work for environmental issues in my community and worldwide as the Chairperson for the Surfrider Foundation in the OBX for a cleaner tomorrow. My work entails saving the dunes which protect the island, cleaning the beaches of garbage and debris by providing educational gatherings and displays, and also protecting the sea turtle breeding areas. To date, every single Public Access has been adopted by local people and businesses that have promised to keep their part of the beaches clean. I adopted a biracial child in 2001 and realized the world is unkind in ways I wasn’t used to. I wanted to provide a better life for my own child and for the many others that are suffering from social and racial injustices, so I looked for ways to fill this hope I have. I now help support 27 orphaned Kenyan children in a small village in Kitale at the Casaupendo Orphanage in Africa. I visited them in 2021 and was able to furnish school supplies and clothing and teach the children about personal hygiene and basic care. We also taught about sustainability with farming techniques and how to provide for themselves. My goal was also to instill in each of them that love has no color and no boundaries. The death of my daughter weighs on me daily. I sought support in many different ways and finally found a home in creating The Circle of Hope. This group is a place where parents that have lost children can come to commune and talk openly about their grief with other parents that experience the same loss. My group provides fellowship, activities, music therapy and replaces grief with hope and happier pathways. 

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
There are several ways to help. One is a donation whatever someone can afford. Volunteering is a great way to help with cleaning beaches or planting seagrasses. You can commit to adopt one of the children at the orphanage or make the trip to donate your time and service in person. If you have a service or activity you would like to share with the Circle of Hope that is always welcome. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://outerbanks.surfrider.org, https://betterbeachesobx.org
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com>outerbanks.surfrider.org/
• Other: https://gofund.me/5a29d073