As some of you know, my parents have owned a restaurant for over the last 25 years. We’re a small business in a somewhat small town. It was the first job for both of my brothers and I, as well as various family members. It’s all my family has known since I was two years old. I saw this opportunity to get help from the Barstool Fund and had to shoot my shot.
Over the last 25 years, my dad has shown up 7 days a week to open and close the restaurant. We are open everyday with the exception of four days a year, Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas. I’ve watched him work through the pain of a bad knee and the aches and pains that come with age. Growing up with this place in my life has given me different experiences and a different outlook on life than other friends around me.
Once I saw Dave Portnoy, the President of Barstool Sports post about the Barstool Fund, I immediately sent an email telling the story of my family. Not only has Covid-19 affected but my mom was diagnosed with cancer in January of 2020. Her diagnosis changed our lives, not only is cancer already a tough obstacle to overcome, but little did we know that the fight was going to be fought at the same time as a global pandemic that would change the lives of everyone.
About a week after I sent in our story, I received a response, on Christmas night, nonetheless. After Liz Gonzales read our story, we sent in a video of our story and hoped for the best. On Sunday, December 27th we got the FaceTime call from Dave. My dad was speechless, my mom was in tears, and I was grateful. I texted one of my brothers and my mom called my other brother to give them the news. We were all in shock and disbelief.
The next day our video got posted on on the Barstool Sports socials, that came along with and overwhelming response of positive comments. That wasn’t the end of it, customers started sharing our video and story, local whittier based social media accounts started reposting it and it spread like wildfire. Since so many people ended up seeing our story and finding out we were in need of business. We got busy.
For the next 5 days we were busier than we had been in years. Then we got another call from a news reporter from NBC Los Angeles. On New Years day they came in and did a story on us. Not only did our story about being a part of the barstool fund air on the 11 o’clock news but it aired the next morning. We had people coming in excited and grateful that not only were we receiving help but that we were getting news coverage.
The Barstool Fund has changed our life and rejuvenated our spirits after a pretty rough 2020. When you start a business you never imagine that after 25 years you will be in a position not to be able to pay rent, but life throws some pretty unthinkable things your way. I’m happy to say that as of my mom’s last appointment with her Oncologist on January 15th, she is now CANCER FREE. She will go in for another scan in three months so all good vibes, thoughts and prayers are still appreciated. Within a few weeks of each other, these two big pieces of news helped lift our spirits in the Cisneros Family and we couldn’t be more thankful for our supports and Barstool Sports.
As of this morning, 1/27/21, the Barstool Fund has raised over 32 million dollars for over 185 small businesses across the nation. To learn more and donate yourself, click here.
HelloKimMarie 
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