‘Modern Family’ star Ty Burrell joins fundraising effort to support employees impacted by SLC fire

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Ty Burrell, known for his role as Phil Dunphy on “Modern Family” and owner of multiple businesses in the Salt Lake area, has joined Salt Lake City’s fundraising effort to support the employees impacted by the Main Street fire earlier this week.

“On Tuesday morning, 200 of our neighbors woke up unemployed,” Burrell stated in a video shared by the Downtown Alliance. “These are people that have taken care of us, now it’s our turn to take care of them.”

According to the Downtown Alliance, the assistance fund has raised $75,000 in the last 36 hours. The goal is to raise $500,000 to support all of the employees impacted by the loss of their workplaces. Some of the buildings destroyed in the fire were the Whiskey Street bar, the White Horse Bar, and the Los Tapatios Grill.

100% of the donations raised by the assistance fund will go directly to the affected workers, helping them pay for rent, groceries, transportation, and other necessities. The first checks are expected to be distributed early next week.

“These are the folks who wash our dishes, serve our meals, don’t question when you show up for your fourth birthday of the month. They just stick a candle in that dessert and play along,” Mayor Erin Mendenhall joked in the video.

“Or the brave hosts and hostesses who stand their ground when I scream, ‘Don’t you know who I am?'” Burrell said, continuing Mendenhall’s joke.

To donate to the Main Street Fire Employee Assistance Program, visit the Downtown Alliance’s website. This page includes additional information about how funds will be distributed.

“This community is generous, and when we work together, we make amazing things happen,” Dee Brewer, Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance, is quoted in the press release. “Having Ty join this effort adds a boost of heart and visibility to an already powerful wave of support.”

Previously, Burrell made a similar appearance to help raise funds and support restaurant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.