(WXYZ) – “God bless you,” said Julie, barely able to understand the words on a taped Facetime call with Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports.
Julie owns Salon Volume in Allen Park. During the Facetime call, she discovered that her company was 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 raised nearly $ 17 million and helped more than 50 companies.
“These people are at the bottom,” said Portnoy. “You notice that the wave of emotion ends when we say to them ‘Hey, we will be there to help you’.”
Portnoy kicked off the fund with a donation of $ 500,000, but the rest comes from more than 130,000 donors. Each selected company will receive assistance throughout the pandemic.
“If you are approved by our fund, tell us how much you need, whether for rent, taxes, payroll, and we will be there until this is over,” said Portnoy.
So far, more than 50 companies have been selected, including Champs Pub in Brighton. For about 40 years, the family business served exactly the same hamburger with the same owner and mustache.
“I haven’t seen my upper lip since 1970,” joked David “Champ” Beauchamp. The mustache became part of the Pub logo.
Despite spending even more money on igloos to keep dinner in person, the neighborhood pub was struggling. So Portnoy called Champ, adding his pub to the bottom.
“It’s good to be recognized for being in the market for so long,” said Beauchamp.
“It sounds too good to be true,” said Walter Macneil during his call with Portnoy, which was recorded and posted online.
Macneil owns Mac’s Acadian Seafood Shack in Saline, which has been on the market for more than 20 years.
“If you saw my video, I wasn’t very excited,” Macneil told 7 Action News. “I was waiting for the other shoe to fall because I didn’t believe it.”
A few days after the video call, a Barstool Fund deposit was made into the restaurant’s bank account.
“What a blessing,” said Macneil. “Incredible thing they are doing. Amazing”
With more money being donated, the Barstool fund is still growing, with plans to continue adding more companies and candid videos.
“It’s moving,” said Portnoy of the reactions of business owners. “That’s why I think we are receiving all donations. You cannot watch and not have a little empathy and compassion. “
The Premier Sports Center in Shelby Township is also receiving support from the fund.
To donate or sign up for the fund, visit the Barstool Fund.