Although nothing will make the loss of Steve Balasco easier for those who knew and loved him, it may provide comfort to know that the charitable endeavors he spearheaded for so many years will live on through a foundation named in his honor.

Michaela Balasco, Steve’s wife, is in the final stages of forming the Balasco Strong Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit which will be used as a fundraising vehicle for various local causes.

“It could be you some day. You never know who is going to be in need of something,” she said. “To have somebody in the community that you know you can come to and say you need something, and know they’re going to make something happen as soon as possible, is just invaluable. I’m hoping that the funds will be able to grow so that if an immediate need is presented, we can help meet it.”

Family Fun Day is Sept. 4
The first effort of the foundation will be to organize Family Fun Day, the event Steve had worked put on each year with the assistance of community members and local businesses to raise money for local nonprofits.

This year, Michaela said that 75 percent of the money raised during the event will go the St. Mary of the Bay’s Food Pantry. The remainder of money raised will go into a reserve to fund two or three subsequent events to benefit other organizations, which have yet to be determined.

“Unfortunately in this climate right now, the need is growing and they’re already seeing an increase [in demand for food],” Michaela said of the food pantry. “So before the winter hits, I’d like to have them financially sound.”

Family Fun Day will be happening on Sunday, Sept. 4 beginning at 1 p.m., and will feature live music, a craft fair, a car show, lots of food and drink, and a corn hole tournament. Music will feature Voodoo Alley, the debut of Devoted To You (an Everly Brothers tribute band), MOJO Rising, and headliner Neal and the Vipers (sponsored in conjunction with the Warren Concert series).

“I know it’s something he would want,” Michaela said. “He would be devastated if we couldn’t do this anymore.”

If you wish to make a donation to the foundation to help fund Family Fun Day, use the QR code above to donate. Those interested in volunteering at the event should contact Bonnie Pansa at teecha9891@gmail.com or 401-529-1036. To register for the corn hole tournament, contact Kelly Harper at 401-749-1589. To register for the craft fair, contact Victoria at 401-297-4392. Those interested in appearing in the car show should contact Nelson Camara or Arthur Sampson.

Continuing Steve’s work
Michaela readily admits that she was the wallflower in her marriage with Steve — while he would go out and talk to businesses and neighbors and anyone who would listen about his work organizing Family Fun Day, she would work behind the scenes to help make it happen.

Now, along with the help of her family and friends, she is more grateful than ever for the community that has rallied around her since Steve’s passing on Christmas Eve last year after a devastating battle with Covid.

“It’s bittersweet but I’m proud to be able to keep this event, which meant so much to him,” she said. “It’s crazy. It’s been seven months and it’s still pretty much daily that somebody I haven’t seen or don’t know comes up to me.”

Michaela said that the concept of #BalascoStrong emerged as a way for the community to support her and her family during their darkest days, but now it will be used as a way to spread good within the community that her late husband loved and cared for so much.

“This kind of work doesn’t just have to happen after a tragedy,” she said. “We can do things like this every day of the year. It’s all been a very humbling experience.”