When it comes to people needing help as we suffer through the lockdown regime put in place by the political class over COVID, it’s always the actions of private citizens, companies, and faith-based institutions who do the heavy lifting. Granted, Barstool Sports is not a religious organization, though these groups do more to help the urban poor than DC, they are getting involved in saving the American dream for scores of Americans.
If you comb through Barstool founder Dave Portnoy’s Twitter thread, you’ll see that El Presidente is giving lifelines left and right. It’s not just bars and restaurants; a dance studio in Fresno got some Barstool cash. Portnoy started this effort with $500,000 of his own money, but this is Barstool, and Stoolies are loyal. They also have a massive social media reach, so help for struggling businesses was on the way no matter what. Now, the fund is approaching $30 million. It’s bound to break that within the coming hours. That money has helped some 150 American businesses in the process (via NY Post):
Portnoy has directed the money to 150 different businesses, including the Peter McManus Cafe in Chelsea, where he was over the weekend when the mob of locals approached him — despite his vocal support for the Patriots — to applaud his charitable giving.
“It hasn’t changed me,” Portnoy said in an exclusive interview.
“I’m the same. I’m glad we are able to do good. The only thing that has changed is that a lot more people are being nice to me. That’s unusual and if someone is mean online, they get drowned out quickly. ‘Look what he’s doing, you asshole.’ It feels good, obviously.”
As might be expected the venture started with an online dare.
On Dec. 11, Portnoy lashed out in a video rant over governments once again shutting down businesses to rein in the pandemic. “The right to earn a livelihood is being stolen by a few politicians,” he lamented in the video titled “Politicians are stealing a basic right to earn a living.”
Call to Daly’s Pub. I think JR was getting emotional at the end #barstoolfund pic.twitter.com/j8CI8bNI0p
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) January 22, 2021
Cyndias gets 2 calls (mother and daughter) and they are both great. #barstoolfund pic.twitter.com/oN4KA1Xlln
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) January 22, 2021
Barstool Sports, El Presidente throw two Fresno business owners lifeline to keep operations going@barstoolsports @stoolpresidente https://t.co/H5ZEWbfRpn
— Jason Oliveira (@JasonOliveiraTV) January 22, 2021
Barstool Fund Recap 1/21/21
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) January 22, 2021
Every dollar, every donation counts. Please continue to donate and share the love. https://t.co/yX2RzI7XGA #barstoolfund pic.twitter.com/Oa9QipzEM4
Thank you ????@BarstoolFund @stoolpresidente @barstoolsports #GratefulHearts pic.twitter.com/6zZ59CaWEp
— The Eagle House (@TheEagleHouse) January 21, 2021
This was one of my favorite calls yet. Gene’s is a 100 year old restaurant in the Village. #BarstoolFund pic.twitter.com/aekHbBxylI
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) January 21, 2021
Nola Bistro from Michigan gets the call. These never get old. Thanks to @PNGamingInc and #BarstoolSportsbook for saving local Michigan businesses. #BarstoolFund pic.twitter.com/fUdZW6Mroo
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) January 21, 2021
Dance Studio of Fresno Get the call #BarstoolFund pic.twitter.com/OvpRV3hXhr
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) January 20, 2021
Legendary DC restaurant @MartinsTavernDC gets the @stoolpresidente and @BarstoolFund treatment! https://t.co/vlWU00tYB3
— Matt Gorman (@mattsgorman) January 17, 2021
And one of those businesses I actually know somewhat well. The Ye Old Ale House, located in the Philly suburbs of Lafayette Hill, received some help from Barstool. The owners are old friends and former neighbors of the Vespa clan during the summer months on the Jersey shore. I was carried around the block often by the daughter of the owner’s family. They’re good folks and got the help that Washington, DC, refused to dole out.
Special thanks to @PNGamingInc for their donation to help cover our next business, Ye Olde Ale House (Lafayette Hill, PA). #BarstoolFund
— The Barstool Fund (@BarstoolFund) January 14, 2021
Click To Donate - https://t.co/0gut24XQK6 pic.twitter.com/vMyXiQvpwP
Ye Olde Ale House gets the call. Thank you to @PNGamingInc for their contribution to help PA small businesses. #BarstoolFund pic.twitter.com/4VSd1RyWgz
— The Barstool Fund (@BarstoolFund) January 14, 2021
The point is, this is the type of action that’s needed. Right now, COVID relief is once again being debated, but like everything in that town — it’s like pulling teeth. Past attempts were torpedoed over politics; Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi admitted to this. Democrats wanted to better their chances in 2020, so they decided to let millions of families and struggling businesses suffer the economic pinch.
You can donate to the fund here.
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Viva la stool.
