Ed Rath

05/25/2020

All gave some, some gave all.

This Memorial Day, we honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.

05/24/2020

Thank you to all who stopped by our food drive at Dave's Christmas Wonderland yesterday to donate to FeedMore WNY! Every donation makes a difference and will help feed families in need throughout our community.

05/21/2020

Happy to deliver pizzas to the hard-working food service staff at Akron, Clarence, and Williamsville schools this past week. These employees are working diligently to provide meals to students even though they are not in the building. Thank you for all you are doing!

05/21/2020

I am proud to partner with ConnectLife for another community blood drive in Williamsville next week (5/27) from 10am-8pm.

Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, they have an urgent need for blood donations. If you'd like to donate next week or at another date/time, visit ConnectLifeGiveBlood.org or call 529-4270. Note: you must make an appointment before donating.

05/15/2020

Please share! Saturday, May 23rd from 10am-1pm, my colleagues and I are partnering with Dave's Christmas Wonderland and the South Line Fire company to host a contact-free food drive benefiting FeedMore WNY. The drive will take place in Dave's Depew store parking lot on French Road. Donations will help FeedMore continue feeding those in need during these challenging times.

Items sought include: canned fruits and vegetables, and shelf stable proteins such as peanut butter or canned chicken or fish. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated!

05/13/2020

As a show of appreciation during National Law Enforcement week, and all the work being done to protect our communities during these challenging times, it was my pleasure to deliver pizza to New York State Police in Clarence this afternoon. Thank you for everything you do!

05/12/2020

Join us for committee meetings this Thursday (5/14), including a Health and Human Services discussion on the COVID-19 outbreak with representatives from the administration. Each will be conducted via Zoom teleconference.

Use the following link and instructions to tune in:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82595440811?pwd=a2NmL2RJVmZxVyttUlhQQ09kYTNBZz09

Meeting ID: 825 9544 0811
Password: 158670

05/12/2020

This is a great salute from the 914th Air Refueling Wing to our healthcare workers and frontline employees! The flight path and locations can be found below:

05/11/2020

I recently sponsored a unanimously-supported resolution calling on the New York Forward Re-opening Advisory Board to submit their findings to the Legislature and other local governments.

It’s important these deliberations are conducted in a transparent manner. Our resolution notes the importance of getting our economy back on track and making sure local municipalities are kept in the loop. I look forward to hearing more from the board and hope we can safely begin the re-opening process in the coming weeks!

05/09/2020

Erie County Legislator Edward A. Rath III, reads childhood favorite, Where the Wild Things Are.

Happy to read one of my favorite children's books- Where the Wild Things Are to share with the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library - Central Library!

While many of us are stuck inside, the library offers tons of great online programming for people of all ages to enjoy. Check them out at buffalolib.org.

Legislator Rath, celebrates Children's Book Week with his reading of Maurice Sendak's, Where the Wild Things Are with permission of HarperCollins Children's ...

05/05/2020

It was an honor to join Russell J. Salvatore and Clarence Supervisor Patrick Casilio for this morning’s “lifting spirits” parade for the staff and residents at Brothers of Mercy Campus. During the parade,resident Naomi Slusser received a special surprise for her 101st birthday when the Clarence Fire Company lifted local singer and Frank Sinatra performer Michael Nugent to serenade her outside her window!

It was also my pleasure to provide Naomi with a proclamation wishing her a happy birthday on behalf of the Erie County Legislature. Thank you to all who made this morning’s parade possible, and most importantly, thank you to all of our healthcare heroes! I hope it brought some joy to Naomi, the staff, and each of the residents on campus.

04/28/2020

Find a farmer through Erie County website

Farmers have been hit hard by the COVID-19 outbreak and need our support now more than ever. The new Erie Grown website connects residents with many of the great farms and locally produced goods in Erie County. There is a farm locator map and fresh produce finder, as well as a list of farmers markets. If you are a grower and would like to be featured, there is also an online form available.

Visit the Erie Grown website here: https://www2.erie.gov/eriegrown/

Erie County has launched a new website designed to link local farmers and growers, who are seeing local produce and other agricultural go...

04/27/2020

Stopped by today’s blood drive to make a donation. Thanks to the ConnectLife staff for making these drives possible! If you are healthy and able to donate, please consider doing so during this time of need. Sign up at ConnectLifeGiveBlood.org.

04/25/2020

Reminder! I am partnering with ConnectLife to host a blood drive Monday (4/27). If you'd like to donate, please make an appointment first by visiting ConnectLifeGiveBlood.org. If you can't make it, you can find additional donation slots to fit your schedule on the website.

Let's make sure we help our hospitals keep a steady supply of blood in the weeks to come!

04/24/2020

Yesterday, we held our regular session of the Erie County Legislature and a Health and Human Services Committee meeting to continue discussing COVID-19 efforts throughout the county. These meetings are still being conducted by Zoom conference in order to comply with social distancing guidelines. It is important to receive these updates from the administration as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to impact our daily lives. Thank you to all who tuned in.

04/23/2020

The Erie County Legislature will be conducting regular session at 11am today and a Health and Human Services Committee meeting to discuss COVID-19 response efforts at 12pm. Both will be held via Zoom. As always, the public is encouraged to watch. See the information and access codes below:

04/22/2020

Meals on Wheels for WNY is an organization I am proud to volunteer for. During these challenging times, it is important to make sure seniors and homebound individuals continue to have access to meal deliveries. I thank FeedMore WNY for everything they are doing to provide food to those in need.

If you’d like to volunteer or know someone in need of meals, visit feedmorewny.org.

04/22/2020

Volunteers needed to help seniors who are lonely or hungry in Erie County

Hearts and Hands is a wonderful organization connecting seniors with the care they need. They have recently expanded to serve all areas of the county during this difficult time, and they are in need of volunteers. Volunteers help deliver groceries in a non-contact service, take clients to emergency appointments, and some just call seniors to talk with them and help with feelings of loneliness or isolation.

If you are interested, contact Hearts and Hands at (716)-406-8311.

Due to Matilda’s Law, much of its volunteer workforce at Heart & Hands is unable to leave the house to do in-person volunteer services like grocery drop off or driving clients to doctors visits so now it’s asking for more volunteers.

04/21/2020

Happy National Library Week!

Even though we can't visit them in person right now, there are plenty of ways to enjoy our libraries online. Find your local library by visiting BuffaloLib.org to see the many programs and resources the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library - Central Library has to offer!

04/20/2020

FeedMore WNY in need of donations to continue COVID-19 relief efforts

Please share! FeedMore WNY has been working non-stop to make sure they are able to continue providing meals throughout Western New York, but they are in need of donations to continue their efforts.

Food donations can be made Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 91 Holt Street, Buffalo, NY 14206. Masks and monetary donations are also needed. To find food assistance or to make a donation over the phone you can call (716) 822-2002 or (716) 852-1305.

FeedMore WNY says it continues to experience a high volume of people who are turning to the organization for food assistance amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

04/16/2020

Erie County Senior Services expanding “Go and Dine” program

The Erie County Senior Services 'Go and Dine' program is a great partnership with local restaurants to provide meals to seniors. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the program has recently expanded to give seniors 8 monthly meal vouchers to use at participating restaurants.

The Senior Services department is also looking to add to the list of restaurants involved in the program. To enroll as a senior or restaurant, call (716) 858-8526.

Senior Services is also looking for new restaurants to expand services across Erie County.

04/15/2020

Bringing Scotland to Akron: Surprise of a lifetime for Make-A-Wish child

Great story! Madisyn Ross had her Make-a-Wish trip to Scotland postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Thanks to Erie County Sheriff's Pipes & Drums and Make-A-Wish Western New York, Scotland was brought to her. I hope she enjoyed her special surprise, and can reschedule her trip soon!

Scotland in Akron. That was the sight behind Madisyn Ross' home Saturday morning.

04/14/2020

WNY Business Impact Survey

The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges for businesses trying to stay afloat.

In order to fully asses the impact of the pandemic on the Western New York business community, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership is asking employers to fill out a survey to share their experiences.

To request the survey, visit the link below: https://www.thepartnership.org/impactsurvey/

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership and its survey partners are asking employers to share impacts they're experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

04/12/2020

My family would like to wish everyone a happy and healthy Easter & Passover!

04/09/2020

This morning, the Legislature conducted a Health and Human Services Committee meeting via zoom in order to discuss the county’s ongoing fight against the Coronavirus outbreak.

Funding, testing, and the ways the county is gathering data are just a few of the topics we covered. It is important the administration regularly communicates with us so we can work together to address residents’ concerns.

04/07/2020

ConnectLife has been dealing with thousands of cancellations amid the Coronavirus outbreak and it is important to make sure they have a steady supply of blood in the coming months.

I am proud to be partnering with them to sponsor an emergency blood drive Monday, April 27 from 10am-8pm at their headquarters in Williamsville. If you can make a donation, please sign up online or call the number listed below! Donations are by appointment only.

04/03/2020

This morning, the governor issued an executive order allowing him to take ventilators and other essential healthcare resources from Western New York and other areas across the state to send them to New York City. This is troubling. Below is a statement from my colleagues and I in the Minority Caucus of the Erie County Legislature:

04/03/2020

Eagle House owners selling gift cards online that can be donated to healthcare workers

The Eagle House Restaurant in Williamsville is selling gift cards that can be donated to healthcare workers!

This is a great gesture and another way our community is coming together to show appreciation for the incredible men and women who are staffing our hospitals right now. If you would like to purchase one, visit their website at eaglehouseonline.com

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB)–As those on the frontlines are continuing to put their lives at risk to save others, area businesses are trying to show their appreciation for all they do. For the …

03/30/2020

Doctors are among those putting in countless hours and sacrificing time with their loved ones to care for patients right now. On this National Doctor's Day, it is especially important to let them know how much they are appreciated!

Thank you to all doctors, nurses, and healthcare employees!

03/30/2020

Pizza Works in Williamsville bringing pizzas to the heroes on the front lines

Pizza Works in Williamsville is teaming up with 'Slice out Hunger' to donate pizzas to healthcare workers. This past weekend, they donated 50 pizzas to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital! Thank you to all involved in this act of generosity. It is great to see so many in our community stepping up to help others, especially those doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals on the front lines of battling this epidemic.

Visit the link below to learn how you can donate a pizza:

Pizza Works, Etc. in Williamsville has teamed up with Slice Out Hunger and Pizza vs. Pandemic to bring donated pizzas to health care professionals on the front lines fighting COVID-19 in Western New York.

03/27/2020

Local restaurants are truly stepping up to the plate to feed and help our community during this challenging time. Let’s all get out and support them as much as possible. Thank you to co-owner of Glen Park Tavern and Williamsville business association’s Ellie Grenauer!

03/25/2020

Thanks to a generous donation from Chris and Kirk Graham of Volland Electric Equipment Corp, we dropped off N95 masks to the Weinberg Campus in Getzville and Brothers of Mercy Campus in Clarence this morning. There is great demand for these supplies right now and I thank Chris and Kirk for reaching out to help our healthcare workers. They deserve any and all support during these challenging times!

03/24/2020

Please share! ECMC is looking for the following donations:

- Masks - procedure or N95s
- Face shields
- Goggles
- Disposable protective covering
- Hand Sanitizer

These men and women are on the front lines of dealing with this outbreak and deserve all the support they can get. Thank you to all throughout our community who have contributed so far!

Thank you to all of the individuals and organizations who have made incredibly generous donations of masks, other protective products, and even food to ECMC’s dedicated frontline caregivers! Yesterday, many donations were received at our Grider Street health campus, including from the West Seneca School District. Thank you!!!

ECMC Donation Needs:

- Masks - procedure or N95s
- Face shields
- Goggles
- Disposable protective covering
- Hand Sanitizer

Please visit this link to see how you can make a donation: https://bit.ly/ECMC-COVID19-March21

03/24/2020

Clarence vodka distillery now making hand sanitizer

Clarence company Uncle Jumbo's American Vodka is now making hand sanitizer for Tops and our first responders. Thank you to owner Nick Kotrides for stepping up to help our community in this time of need!

CLARENCE, N.Y. (WIVB) — During this critical time, Uncle Jumbo’s American Vodka is changing up its product and switching to making hand sanitizer. For the past two years Nick Kotrides h…

03/19/2020

Just heard from Erie County Department of Health representatives at the Legislature. This morning, it is anticipated my colleagues and I will vote on authorizing $5 million in emergency funding for additional resources to fight Coronavirus. Thank you to all on the front lines of this issue, including our county Health Commissioner Gale Burstein. We must all work together to prevent this illness from spreading.