Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Balboa.
Hi Amanda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
The Fun Coast Foundation began with a simple but powerful idea: take care of our own community. The Fun Coast Foundation was established in 2021 by Al and Laura Balboa, longtime Volusia County residents and community supporters. The Foundation grew out of a collective group of local families and business owners who saw a need for more transparency and local impact in charitable giving. With humble roots and a lot of hard work, what started as neighbors helping neighbors evolved into an organized effort to ensure funds raised in Volusia County stay in Volusia County—supporting children, families, and vital community programs. Built by people who were born and raised here, the Foundation reflects the values of this area: integrity, compassion, and a deep pride in giving back to the place that shaped us. Today, Fun Coast Foundation continues to grow, driven by the same grassroots spirit and commitment that sparked its beginning.
We originally set out in 2015 with a gift-giving Christmas program, “One Business, One Family”. The idea behind the project was to provide families down on their luck a little Christmas magic. Each business would “sponsor” one family. The families were vetted through local outreach centers, churches, school administrators, guidance counselors, police departments, and victim advocates of Volusia County. Word spread quickly of our project and it quickly grew in just a few short years we were over 100 kids yearly! Families would submit a list for each child of needs and wants, and if they felt compelled, they could also add a small narrative of their situation to help us better understand the needs. We would see requests for basic needs like socks, hygiene products, shoes and even mattresses! We had families whose homes had been burned down, homeless families, families with small children in hospitals or parents seriously ill. It was all right in front of us, and there’s no way we were going to stand back and watch.
Ever since that first Christmas in 2015 we’ve had a burning desire to continue our mission as long & as vibrantly as we can, with a lot of help from our hometown, and love in our hearts.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
of course not!! Growing pains, just like any other project or company! We’re grateful for the support we have from our local families and businesses that hold us up when times get tough. When you see the results, you can’t help but to keep pushing through.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Arrow Service & Towing?
My personal professional life is a family-owned & operated towing company in the heart of Daytona Beach. We are the oldest towing company in Volusia County. Founded by my parents, Al & Laura Balboa. Were so proud to be 2nd generation towers with the oldest towing & repair center in Volusia County.
As the article related to our non-profit work, I don’t see the need to focus on my personal work- of course I didn’t want to leave the question unanswered.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.funcoastfoundation.org
- Instagram: @funcoastfoundation
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/funcoastfoundation
