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The Tammaro Family: 2021 Marple Friends & Neighbors of the Year
Resident Feature by Holly Stupak
Photos by Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
We are excited to introduce you to this month’s Resident Feature and the 2021 Marple Friends & Neighbors of the Year: The Tammaros.
Melanie and Jason Tammaro have both spent decades serving and protecting others as police officers. And from supporting fellow parents through social media to helping Marple residents in need, they take pride in making a positive impact in the community.
Melanie and Jason are both Broomall transplants. Melanie grew up in northeast Philadelphia, eventually moving out to the Main Line. She graduated from Harriton High School where she was active in softball, volleyball, cheerleading and theater. After high school, Melanie attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania and earned a BA in Criminology in 1997. Inspired by her Criminal Justice classes, she went on to the Police Academy at Delaware Community College and graduated in 2001.
Jason and Melanie Tammaro
Photo by Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
Jason grew up in Haddon, NJ. After graduating from Haddon Township High School where he was a stand out baseball player, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Temple University. He graduated from the Police Academy in 1990, and worked as a police officer and Sergeant until he retired in 2016.
In 2003, Melanie and Jason were both working at the Lower Merion Police Department when friendship quickly turned to romance. Because they worked together, Melanie said it was important they got on the same page. “We knew this couldn’t be a casual thing so we had a serious talk about our relationship pretty quickly,” she said.
They married in 2006, on Grand Cayman Island, where they spent two weeks scuba diving, fishing, swimming with stingrays and spending time with friends and family there. Jason had already been living in Broomall for several years and they knew it would be a great place to start their married life and raise a family.
For the past 19 years. Melanie has been a Lower Merion police officer. After 13 years of patrolling the Philadelphia border as a beat officer, she became the Dispatch Officer-in-Charge.
She also started the Car Seat program at LMPD, and was trained as a Certified Passenger Safety Technician (CPST), helping hundreds of parents and caregivers by teaching them proper installation and use of car seats. In her role as a CPST, Melanie speaks at schools and daycare centers, to educate staff and parents about car seat safety. “This is the most rewarding part of my job!” said Melanie. “Making sure children are safe and educating caregivers is so important because vehicle crashes are the #1 cause of death for young children. I know families I helped who have been in crashes but the children suffered only minor injuries. I would like to believe that I am saving lives,” she added.
In addition to her police work, Melanie coaches Marple Junior Tigers Cheerleading and is a sales representative for an online boutique, Cami’s Closet Clothing, which sells leggings and other workout gear. “I wouldn’t sell these if I didn’t believe in their quality,” she said. “They’re really popular because they’ve got fun patterns and make you look great!” And, in 2019, she became an ordained minister and had the honor of officiating the marriage of her mother and step-father.
Jason worked for 26 years as a police officer before he retired 5 years ago. He now has more time for his hobbies like coaching ice hockey, driving his 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner hot rod and cooking. Since he first impressed Melanie with his homemade sausage and peppers back in 2003, Jason has been entering barbeque competitions, making delicious meals and desserts, and even canning peppers and pickles. Growing up, he learned to cook from his mom, and today he can be found in what they call Taverna Tammaro, creating new recipes like crab and avocado dishes and a lamb dish that Jason calls “Melly had a little lamb.” "I first taste something in my head,” said Jason, “then I try to come up with something unique.” “I love being a guinea pig for Jason’s recipes!” added Melanie.
Camilla and Jace Tammaro
Photo by Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
Melanie and Jason have two children, Jace and Camilla. This fall, Jace will be a 5th-grader at Russell Elementary, where he loves Math and Reading. Outside of school, he plays ice hockey for Marple Newtown and for the Haverford Hawks. He loves joining his dad for rides in the hot rod or playing video games and Beyblades. Known at school for being kind and caring, Jace is always standing up for himself and others. In summertime, he can be found swimming at Rose Tree Woods Swim Club or paddleboarding or fishing at the beach.
Jace’s little sister Cami is a sassy and sweet 7-year-old who sleeps with a big pile of stuffed animals every night. She loves real animals too — even bugs! She’ll be a 2nd-grader at Russell this fall, and she loves art, reading and cheerleading for the Marple Junior Tigers. Already a great ice and roller skater, Cami wants to follow in her brother’s footsteps and play ice hockey.
The Tammaro Family at their home in Broomall
In fact, all four of the Tammaros love hockey. To keep in shape, Jason plays ice hockey twice a week for a police and fire team and also for an over-40 mens’ league. Melanie said she has been a long-time fan of the sport, especially the Philadelphia Flyers, and now loves being a hockey mom. And if the family isn’t ice skating on a weekend, they’re roller skating at one of the local rinks.
The Tammaros also make it a priority to give back to the local community. “Giving back is in my DNA,” said Melanie. A proud Board Member of the Marple Civic Association (MCA), she got to play Mrs. Claus this past Christmas, and helped collect toys for local children in need. She’s also the founder of the Facebook group Marple Moms Meet. While on maternity leave in 2014, Melanie started the online meet-up group. “I really wanted to meet other moms of kids close in age to mine, to have playdates and just make friends.”
Although it’s not limited exclusively to Broomall moms, she found the name of the group Marple Moms Meet to be catchy. What started out as a few dozen other moms is now up to nearly 3,000 members! In the beginning, they organized ice cream socials and playdates. The online platform made it convenient for planning potluck events at local parks. This past March, they held their 7th successful Easter Egg Hunt, which now includes the Easter bunny, Marple EMS and Police, vendors and food trucks and fun activities for kids.
Marple Moms Meet is also a place to support the community by organizing toy and turkey drives, collecting food and fundraising for local families who are facing hardship. It also supports local “Mompreneurs” by advertising moms’ local businesses each week.
Krissi Convery, who met Melanie through Marple Moms Meet, now serves as a Group Administrator. “When I met Melanie back in 2014, I didn’t know a lot of other moms. After arranging a playdate at a local park through the Facebook group, we’ve been close friends ever since,” said Krissi. “Melanie is a great advocate for inclusivity and making sure everyone feels welcome!”
Melanie and her family also enjoy bringing people together in their Greenhill neighborhood. “This past year, we became even closer to our neighbors: We basically quarantined together. All we had was each other, and we made the best of it!” said Melanie. Whether it’s taking turns hosting a fire pit or the annual block party, all the kids and parents always enjoy being outside together.
TheTammaro family (L-R): Jace, Jason, Melanie and Camilla
Photo by Sierra Clark Photography www.SierraClarkPhoto.com
If you want to know what it’s like to be neighbors with the Tammaros, just ask anyone in their Greenhill neighborhood. Neighbor Jen McGee said they are the type of people whose door is open to welcome you in. “They’d never want to see anyone alone on a holiday,” said Jen. “They always have room for an extra place at their table.” Charlene and Mike Freeman have been neighbors with the Tammaros for 11 years. “They are great neighbors!” said Charlene. “You can always count on them especially when you have emergencies. And they’re always up for a good time!”
We congratulate our 2021 Marple Friends & Neighbors of the Year, The Tammaros, for exemplifying what it means to be Bringing People Together!
Do you know a Broomall family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Holly Stupak at HStupak@BestVersionMedia.com.
