(WXYZ) – “God bless you,” said Julie, who could barely understand the words of a recorded FaceTime call with Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy.
Julie owns Salon Volume in Allen Park. During the FaceTime call, she discovered that her company had been selected to be part of the Bartsool Fund, a fund dedicated to helping small businesses during the pandemic.
In just 10 days, Portnoy and Barstool have raised nearly $ 17 million and helped more than 50 businesses.
“These people are on their last legs,” Portnoy said. “You can see the wave of emotion has just disappeared when we tell them, ‘Hey, we’ll be there for you.'”
Portnoy started the fund with a donation of $ 500,000, but the rest comes from more than 130,000 donors. Every selected company will receive help throughout the pandemic.
“When you get approval for our fund, tell us how much you need, whether it’s rent, taxes, or payroll, and we’ll be there until this is a bit over,” Portnoy said.
More than 50 companies have been selected to date, including Champs Pub in Brighton. For about forty years, the family business has served exactly the same burger with the same owner and the same mustache.
“I haven’t seen my upper lip since 1970,” quipped David “Champ” Beauchamp. The mustache has become part of the Pub’s logo.
Despite spending even more money on igloos to keep eating in person, the neighborhood pub had struggled. Then Portnoy called Champ and added his pub to the fund.
“It’s nice to be recognized as a company that’s been in business for so long,” said Beauchamp.
“It almost seems too good to be true,” said Walter Macneil during his interview with Portnoy, which was recorded and posted online.
Macneil owns Mac’s Acadian Seafood Shack in Saline, which has been in business for over 20 years.
“When you saw my video, I didn’t act very excited,” Macneil told 7 Action News. “I waited for the other shoe to fall because I didn’t believe it.”
Within days of the video call, a deposit was made to the Barstool Fund restaurant bank account.
“What a blessing,” said Macneil. ‘Incredible what they do. Incredible “
With more money being donated, the Barstool fund is still growing, with plans to add more businesses and heartfelt videos.
“It’s moving,” said Portnoy of the entrepreneurs’ reactions. ‘That’s why I think we get all donations. You cannot look at that and have no empathy and compassion. “
Premier Sports Center in Shelby Township is also receiving support from the fund.
Please visit Barstool Fund to donate or apply for the fund.