Fan Spotlight: Julie Balsamo loves giving back to the community through her work with Texas Roadhouse

By Sally Tippett Rains

Julie Balsamo has been going to Cardinals games for as long as she can remember.

“I have been going to games since I was a little kid,” she said.

She is shown at a Cardinals game with Fredbird and her friend Joann. Her earliest memories were of the 1982 World Series team and the great teams in the 1980’s.

“I always loved watching Ozzie Smith when I was a kid and got excited when he would do his back flip on the field,” she said. “Later in life I enjoyed watching Big Mac hit all those home runs. In the past 10 years I have just enjoy going to the game and making memories with good friends.”

Julie Balsamo barely has time for Cardinals games these days.

“I haven’t been to a game since before COVID,” she said.

It’s the height of golf tournament and outdoor season and Balsamo is the  Local Store Marketer for Texas Roadhouse in St. Charles. She spends most of her time out in the community and when she’s not, she’s on her computer at the store researching other opportunities to help.  She and Texas Roadhouse support numerous charities around the city and they don’t just donate money or food—they actually show up and do the work.

She literally gets to “serve” others every day.

“I work for the best company that allows us to give back and do wonderful things in the communities,” she said.  “Our company is super passionate about their community in every city they are located. I love giving back to the community– and working for Texas Roadhouse allows us to do so in many different ways.”

On any given day she might be at the Whitmoor Country Club supporting Five Acres Animal Shelter; at the Florissant Golf Club supporting the Florissant Police Department or other police charities; serving lunch to Salvation Army volunteers, or at a picnic serving food to families of children with cancer. She is shown in the photo left this past week at the golf tournament for the Major Case Squad.

She brings her large 10×10 and sets it up. It was frigid temperatures in February when she set up for at the Polar Plunge in St. Charles to benefit Special Olympics. The heat of summer or coldness of winter doesn’t stop her from donating her time to help charities that touch her heart.

“My personal favorite types of charities are anything for kids and animals. I love being able to work for a company that allows us to give back to so many charities.

Here are a few examples of charities they have helped this summer: Rainbow for Kids, Leaps of Love, St. Jude, Diamonds in the Ruff, St. Charles PD Tip A Cop Night, several local school fundraisers.

“We’ve also gone to a lot of charity golf tournaments representing Texas Roadhouse.”

Saturday she was at a Rainbows for Kids Event.

“Jada Cashill, Meranda Derosier (dressed as their mascot, Andy) & I had a great time at the event for Rainbow for Kids.”

The event was supposed to be an outdoor picnic so she had her tent packed and was prepared to do an outdoor barbecue event, but at the last minute she and her group had to pivot when the weather report called for rain and the event was moved to a church basement.

“That was ok with us,” she said and just brought her supplies to the new location. They had a big buffet of Texas Roadhouse food.

She really enjoyed the families of children with cancer, and brought Andy the mascot and gifts for the kids. The kids loved seeing Andy and of course getting the gifts along with playing games, doing crafts and having a great time with their families.

“I love making people smile!” she said.

Balsamo was introduced to Rainbows for Kids from her friend Sherry Opich who is a volunteer. They are shown together in the photo, right.

Now before you call her up and ask for help remember, she has a full summer schedule already filled– plus she spends a big amount of time running the restaurant. This article is not to bring her more charity work—she is full to the brim with that; but rather it is to point out all the good that one person—and their business—can do when they are willing to use their company in a positive way.

The next time you are at a Texas Roadhouse thank them for all they have done for the community.  Balsamo works out of the St. Charles location but Jada Cashill of the Kirkwood location pitched in and helped at the Rainbows for Kids event. Cashill was familiar with Rainbows for Kids as they had helped them before.

“The families had such a great time and Andy the mascott was just an added treat,” said Michele Carter, Rainbows for Kids Volunteer. “It was great to see their smiling faces eating the food, playing, doing crafts and posing with Andy.”

Balsamo is an accomplished marketing professional specializing in local promotion and community-based programs. She is a single mom to her 24-year-old son Kane.

“He is my whole world. I am also a dog mom to three very playful dogs Bear, Rubble & Bella,” she said. “When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time out with my family or just relaxing at home on my patio listening to music playing with my dogs.”

Restaurant work is perfect for her because she is a foodie at heart. In her spare time she likes to cook and often does cooking videos on her day off.

Once she realized how long it has been since she has been to Busch, she decided she will take some time out of her schedule to make it to a Cardinals game, maybe in June. There was just one problem. When she finally decided she would do something for herself, she realized she will soon be recuperating from upcoming foot surgery, so she hopes to be “back on both feet” and go in August.

The kids had a great day at the picnic, largely due to the charitable work of Julie Balsamo and Texas Roadhouse.

‐–

If you are a Cardinals fan and new to STLSportsPage.com email us at Rains@STLSportsPage.com to subscribe to our free newsletter about the Cardinals.

You can either email us with “newsletter” in the subject line or just CLICK HERE.