The owner of a clothing store in Indiana said on Wednesday that he was moved to tears after learning that his struggling business will 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 around for almost a century. They said the money will go directly to the salaries of employees at the Siebert Clothing Store.
“Business has been a big part of my life and my family,” said Jim Siebert. “My grandfather opened this store in 1922. I worked for my father, who passed away a few weeks ago, and now I work with my lovely wife and daughter and some invaluable employees, other people who do an incredible job and who brings me to tears just thinking about it. in that. ”
“It’s all about people,” he added. “We have great people. They are very important to me personally, but also in terms of business.”
Dave Portnoy, founder of the media company Barstool Sports, started the fundraising effort earlier this month with the nonprofit 30 Day Fund, with the goal of helping small businesses impacted by COVID-19. He contributed $ 500,000 of his own money to the effort.
Siebert said his daughter convinced him to send a presentation.
“I did it grudgingly, but now I’m grateful for that,” said Siebert. “It’s so kind of Dave Portnoy to do what he does trying to help small businesses and I like 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 raised nearly $ 10.3 million from more than 86,000 supporters for 42 small businesses struggling during the pandemic.
Portnoy presented the fund in a December 17 tweet, saying that companies could send stories to [email protected] to be considered for the fund.
Siebert’s daughter Rachel, who will own the Siebert Clothing Store in the future, told Fox & Friends that she was “shocked” when she got the call from Portnoy on Monday.
“It potentially saved our business and it is crazy,” she said. “It just doesn’t seem real and what he’s doing is an incredible thing.”
Portnoy has shared video submissions from small business owners asking to be part of the fundraising effort on social media.
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He also shared videos of the reactions of business owners to the news that they were chosen to participate in “The Barstool Fund”, with several, including Siebert, appearing to be thrilled after hearing the news, often directly from Portnoy.
On Twitter, Portnoy considered his exchange with Siebert “one of my favorite connections”.
Barstool continues to accept applications from small businesses to participate in The Barstool Fund. To donate, visit: Barstoolsports.com/The-Barstool-Fund.
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Audrey Conklin of FOX Business contributed to this report.