Teddy and Althe Hatfield created Flamingos for Amber – a nonprofit helping people with a debilitating illness or injury and their caregivers – in 2017 to honor their late daughter, Amber.
Amber bravely battled Wegener’s granulomatosis for 14 years before passing in 2017.
Spending several nights in hospitals at Louisville, Vanderbilt, Duke, Cleveland, and more, the Hafields learned early in their journey that they needed help. Teddy and Althe said Amber was always thinking of others first, and this was the perfect way to commemorate her memory.
“Amber was always putting others first, and we wanted a way to celebrate her way of life,” Teddy said. “People need help. Not just with bills but with encouragement, love, and hope. They need small things such as food and snacks, and big things such as transportation and lodging.”
The nonprofit assists individuals and caregivers with doctor visits, house cleaning, pet sitting, groceries, and more. The Hatfields said caregivers are often overlooked when patients are battling their injuries and illnesses, and they want to combat those needs with Flamingos for Amber.
“We’ve sponsored more than 100,000 miles traveled for treatment, assisted with payments, paid for medicine, and more,” Althe said. “These are issues we all face with someone we love and help go to the hospital. It doesn’t take long to deplete your funds.”
Teddy said their board members are like-minded, like-hearted, and like-spirited and have guided and led the organization for the past 5 years. Althe added that the community consistently goes above and beyond to help Flamingos for Amber thrive.
Amber passed on March 6, 2017. Exactly 1 year later, the Hatfields received a letter approving their nonprofit status. Coincidentally, the only date the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce had to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the oganization this year was June 14: Amber’s birthday.
“As sick as Amber was at times, she was always thinking of others,” Althe said. “If she was in the hospital at Christmas time, she still managed to shop for her family. It never mattered how sick she was; she always made everything about others.”
Flamingos for Amber will host their annual Night of Miracles Concert on August 12. Justin Warren is headlining the event. Tickets are available online at owensborotickets.com.
The Chamber Member of the Week program is a membership benefit of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce. Founded in 1913, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for over a century.
Today, with a membership base of nearly 1,000, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives, serving as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region.
To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Shelly Nichols, Chamber Vice President, at 270-926-1860 or [email protected].
