My dear friend, Mike Balboni, from my childhood tragically passed away six years ago in a terrible motorcycle accident. I realize now as I approach middle age that he was perhaps the best friend I ever had. He was always and I mean ALWAYS there for me. Even at age 15...

His untimely death left behind his loving wife and his very young daughter, who adored him more than our earth adores her sun.

she is now an adult and is attending college with aspirations to become a marine biologist as her dad loved the ocean and they spent much of their time on the open sea, fishing for tuna together.

Being raised by a single mother presents so many challenges. Necessities are often all that can be provided.

This is what I am asking you for.

Emma needs a larger saltwater aquarium. She is trying to grow coral in a tiny 5 gallon tank. This is EXTREMELY difficult and I’m worried she will meet discouragement in her life which she doesn’t need.

I bought her a small flow pump that she can use when she upgrades to a larger tank eventually but I don’t know when she will have the funds to get there. Currently, she lives at home, goes to school full time and works on the weekends. College weekends should be spent socializing, not working IMO.

I considered just buying her a new tank myself. But I realized as much as that would make ME feel good, I thought something else would be better. 

You see... she misses her dad. I’m 45 with teenage daughters also and I am a strong tough man with facial hair and I miss my dad so much it overwhelms me. I think it would help her heal if she saw support from loads of people, not just one.

i am asking you to help me raise money so she can upgrade her aquarium. I’d expect it to cost about $500, but college kids also need pizza money. So please... find it in your hearts to help a broken little girl become a powerful mended woman with the strength to accomplish anything.

thanks everyone and god bless.