The Tommy Ellis Memorial Foundation
Welcome to our foundation's website! We are grateful for your support in continuing Tommy's legacy. Together, we can make a difference and honor his memory through our commitment to our mission. Thank you for being a vital part of this journey us.
Our Mission
The Tommy Ellis Memorial Foundation is dedicated to celebrating & continuing the legacy of a man who embodied loyalty, dedication and hard work and who made a profound impact on every life he touched. Inspired by his belief of tough-love and the power of blue collar grit. We aim to empower individuals to realize their potential and embrace the remarkable presence, we committed to using our resources to fund, support and develop programs that build character, foster opportunities and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.
Save the Date
Corporate Sponsor Packet
2nd Annual Golf Tournament
Date: Monday June 15th, 2026
Location: Rock Manor Golf Club
1319 Carruthers Ln Wilmington, DE 19803
Registration: 8am
Shotgun Start: 9am
Luncheon and Raffles/Silent Auction immediately following
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Raffle/Donation Letter
Registration is LIVE!
Registration is officially OPEN for the 2nd Annual Tommy Ellis Memorial Foundation Golf Tournament!
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Monday, June 15, 2026 • Rock Manor Golf Course • Wilmington, DE
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Last year we SOLD OUT — 144 golfers, 36 foursomes, and an incredible community showing up to honor Coach Tom’s legacy. This year, we’re aiming even higher as we continue supporting local student‑athletes, sports teams and families in need.
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We’re excited to offer corporate sponsorships, foursome registration, and hole sponsorships — all now live and ready to secure.
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​Registration & Sponsorship Links
Gold Level Sponsor – $5,000
https://square.link/u/ry6OYBjt
Silver Level Sponsor – $2,500
https://square.link/u/8R7yOyP0
Foursome Registration - $800
https://square.link/u/bmZKt86f
Hole Sponsor - $200
https://square.link/u/RouWAznH
Your support helps us continue Tommy’s mission of grit, generosity, and community. Spots will go fast — we can’t wait to see everyone back on the course this June.
Please be sure to email us your teams shirt sizes and golfers names (you should be able to add them via the payment link). Also email with any issues with payment links (new this year) temfoundation24@gmail.com
Documentary In the Making
Honoring Thomas “Tommy” Andrew Ellis
I’m so grateful to share that we are beginning work on a documentary about Tommy. After talking through the vision, we are all incredibly excited to bring his story to life.
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How You Can Be Part of It
If you knew Tommy, we would love to include you.
You can:
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Share your story on camera
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Send a written story to be narrated
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Share photos or videos you’d like included
Email us at temfoundation24@gmail.com if you would like to be a part of it.
Timeline
Filming begins January 2026, giving us time to gather stories, footage, and memories. We will film through the summer, stopping in July/August to allow for August, September, October and November for editing.
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Premiere
We plan to premiere the documentary on December 18, 2026 — just three days after Tommy’s birthday — so we can celebrate his life together.
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We’re honored to hear every part of his story: the good, the hard, the funny, the complicated, and the beautiful. It all matters. It all belongs.
Honoring
Thomas Andrew Ellis
12/15/1980 - 7/1/2024
Click the Turning Hearts link below to learn more about Tommy and his legacy
Holiday Help
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We were able to help out 5 local families this holiday season. We were able to provide monetary gifts, gift cards as well as gifts. Our goal next year is to at least double this.
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We provided a local church that gives back to their community by giving them a monetary donation to help them provide their parishioners a nice Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas Dinner and some gifts for the community.
The Foundation Gives Back
The foundation helped local Delaware County Wrestler from Interboro High School, Franco compete at Worlds
Wrestler Spotlight: Franco Latore
This past summer (2025), Franco Latore showcased his talent and determination on both the national and international wrestling stage. Franco placed 3rd at the Northeast Regional Championships and went 5-2 at the USA Wrestling Junior & 16U Nationals (Fargo), one of the most competitive tournaments in the country. Taking his success abroad, Franco proudly represented Puerto Rico, earning a Bronze Medal at the Pan American Games and qualifying for the Junior World Championships. His hard work, discipline, and passion for the sport continue to inspire those around him. We are incredibly proud of Franco’s accomplishments and look forward to seeing him continue to shine on and off the mat.
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Chris Tate
Garnet Valley High School
Emotional Support Teacher
Head Boys/Girls Wrestling Coach
Giving Back
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After our July 26th Wrestling Tournament we had a good amount of left over food so we were able to donate to a local church to support their Sunday dinner they provide for their community
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​We were able to sponsor a local rec football team to help them purchase new uniforms
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We were able to help 5 local and very deserving families with holiday help this year
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We helped our local High School's girls soccer team with off season training in January 2026
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We provided a local afterschool girls lacrosse team with some warm gear so they can practice not only with some warm clothes but also with a fun logo they can proudly wear around.
2025 Preston & Steve's Campout for Hunger
Thank you to everyone that contributed to The Tommy Ellis Memorial Foundation canned food drive! Tonight we dropped off 525 pounds of canned goods to The Preston & Steve Camp Out For Hunger event! A special thanks to, Wise Originals, Casey Chiropractic, Iron Workers Bank, Premier Window Tint, Brookhaven Community Center, Blacksheep Wrestling & Sun Valley Wrestling for being our donation drop locations this year!
1st Annual Tommy Ellis Memorial Foundation Golf Tournament.
Click below for event video - Thank you Jimmy Pro for your amazing footage
​The event was held on Monday June 16tht at Rock Manor Golf Course in Wilmington, DE
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We had a SOLD OUT event, thank you to everyone who volunteered, donated, sponsored and golfed.
Congratulations to our 1st Place Winners: Local 10
Annual Forever A Vanguard Tournament
July 26th, 2026 we hosted the 2nd Annual Forever A Vanguard Wrestling Tournament at Sun Valley High School in Aston, PA We had over 150 wrestlers registered and hosted two sessions, one for our youth division (K through 8th) and one for our high school division (incoming 9th through 12th). A huge thank you to all of the volunteers and the board for helping to make this event a great success. We had a lot of great wrestling that happened and we hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as we all did. ​We were also so thankful to have Greg Payne from FOX29 News and Kendell from Gift of Life in attendance to do a follow up story on Tom and his Gift of Life to others.
Meet the Board
Together as a close-knit group of family and friends, we carry forward Tommy's vision and passion for helping others. Each of us is actively involved in our community, lending a hand to those in need. As proud parents of athletes, we’ve all been touched by Tommy's positive influence in our lives. We stand united in our mission to make a difference for those around.
Stephanie Ellis
President/Treasurer
Co-Founder
BJ Barlow
Board Member
John Holefelder
Vice President
Co-Founder
Maria Bartholetti
Board Member
Tasha Holefelder
Secretary
Co-Founder
Chris Tate
Board Member
Ernie Ellis
Board Member
Nick Nawn
Board Member
Jan Bellace
Board Member
We Love Our Sponsors
Click on the logo and go visit their websites
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Tommy Ellis Memorial Foundation
2025 Grit Award Winners
This award recognizes a student athlete who exemplifies relentless determination, perseverance, and mental toughness. It honors the athletes who pushes through adversity, works tirelessly to improve, and inspires teammates through unwavering effort and resilience
All three of the above award winners; Danny, Brandon & Max are all seniors and all received a $500 check to go towards their next chapter whether it is college, military or workforce. We wish them well and continued success on and off the mat. This was made possible because of the continued support shown by our community through our fundraising events. Thank you!
