An Indiana clothing store owner said Wednesday he was in tears after learning he was struggling to receive financial support from The Barstool Fund amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Jim Siebert and his daughter Rachel told Fox & Friends on Wednesday that the donation helped save the family business, which has been in existence for nearly a century. They said the money goes directly to the salaries of employees of Siebert’s Clothing Store.
“The business was a big part of me and my family’s,” Jim Siebert said. “My grandfather started this store in 1922. I worked for my doll, who just passed away a few weeks ago, and now I work with my wife and beautiful daughter and some precious employees, other people who have a doing hellish work and it brings me to tears just thinking about it. ‘
“It’s all about the people,” he added. “We have some wonderful people. They are very important to me personally, but also businesslike.”
Dave Portnoy, founder of media company Barstool Sports, began raising funds earlier this month, along with the non-profit 30 Day Fund, with the goal of helping small businesses affected by COVID-19. He contributed $ 500,000 of his own money to the effort.
Siebert said his daughter convinced him to submit a submission.
“I did it reluctantly, but now I’m thankful we have it,” Siebert said. “It’s kind of like Dave Portnoy doing what he does to help small businesses, and I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart, and God bless you Dave.”
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As of Wednesday morning, ‘The Barstool Fund’ has raised nearly $ 10.3 million from more than 86,000 supporters for 42 small businesses struggling during the pandemic.
Portnoy launched the fund in a December 17 tweet, saying businesses can send stories to [email protected] to consider for the fund.
Siebert’s daughter Rachel, who will own Siebert’s Clothing Store in the future, told Fox & Friends that she was ‘shocked’ when she received the call from Portnoy on Monday.
“It may have saved our business and it’s just crazy,” she said. “It just doesn’t feel right and what he’s doing is such an amazing thing.”
Portnoy shares video submissions from small business owners asking to participate in the fundraising effort on social media.
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He also shared videos of business owners’ reactions to news that they had been selected to participate in ‘The Barstool Fund’, with several, including Siebert, apparently getting emotional after hearing the news, often directly from Portnoy.
On Twitter, Portnoy calls his exchange with Siebert ‘one of my absolute favorite calls’.
Barstool still accepts applications from small businesses to participate in The Barstool Fund. To donate, visit: Barstoolsports.com/The-Barstool-Fund.
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FOX Business Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.