Rayzor's Dawg House collecting donations to help Eden community after tornado
EDEN, NY (WIVB) -- Rayzor's Dawg House in Eden is firing up the grill, cooking up specials while helping out the local community.
"We believe that the correct thing to do is to give back to the community that supported us for the last eight years," said owner Jeff Walker.
Walker and his fiancé, Kim, bought the restaurant from former Buffalo Sabre Rob Ray six years ago, and something they pride themselves in is supporting local. Right now, their main concern is helping those impacted by the tornado that touched down in Eden last week.
"I spoke to a local family a couple days ago, they completely lost their house with a tree that fell on it," Walker said. "They are currently living at a hotel, and I was just informed this morning that they have to totally rebuild from the foundation up. That's why we're doing what we're doing."
The tornado had wind speeds up to 115 mph and tore up farms and homes throughout the town.
In response, Rayzors handed out free ice cream on Saturday and asked for donations to help those who are left with structural damage from the tornado. They raised $3,500 in donations. Walker and Kim matched those donations, and also added $500, a portion of net sales made on Saturday. This week, they continue to collect donations, hoping to raise $10,000 by Sunday to help those who are facing the hardships left behind in the tornado's tracks.
"I can't imagine being torn apart in twenty seconds and to have to live in a hotel or with family members or with friends for six, eight, twelve months until their house is rebuilt," Walker said. "That's going to affect them mentally."
In honor of National Hot Dog Day Wednesday, they're giving everyone one free hot dog and they're offering additional 99 cent hot dogs, as long as you purchase an order of fries (three 99 cent hot dogs limit per order of fries).
Also on National Hot Dog Day, all proceeds from fountain and cooler drinks will be going towards their Rayzor's Mental Health Foundation, founded to help break the stigma behind talking about mental health. They've helped add the "#SAMEHERE" program at Eden Central Schools, that teaches everyone at the district how to notice signs of mental health and how to help. They've also collected funds for Brylin, Mental Health Advocates of WNY and continue to look for more avenues to help.
Walker tells us that he plans on speaking with the foundation's board, to see if they could use a portion of the drink proceeds to help the town provide counseling services for those who were impacted by the tornado.
Rayzor's Dawg House is located at 8178 North Main Street, Eden, and is open 11am until 9pm. For more information, you can visit their Facebook page here.