If you’ve been anywhere on Social Media, if you’ve watched the news, if you’ve read any sort of news article, you’ve likely seen pictures or videos of people pouring buckets of ice over their heads, right? The first one started in June, and I’ll admit: when I first started seeing the videos on Facebook my thoughts were:
- I don’t understand this- how does pouring a bucket of ice water over your head help the cause?
- I really hope I don’t get tagged/nominated to participate
However, as the days/weeks/months went by and more and more people were participating and linking to the site which described why people were doing the challenge and how you could donate, I started getting more intrigued.
For those of you who don’t know, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is a challenge where people are nominated to pour a bucket of ice water over their heads as a way to spread the awareness for the awful disease known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The amount of awareness that this challenge has made over the past couple of weeks is amazing. Not only that, but there’s been over $12M raised thus far- incredible.
However, as wonderful as this challenge has been and how awesome it is that it has gotten so many people involved, over the weekend, Pete Frates friend and launcher of the ice bucket challenge sadly drowned after an accident while he was on Nantucket over the weekend. He had just raised over $100K for the cause. From what I’ve heard, this person was one of a kind- involved in numerous charity events and fundraisers and a friend to everyone. It made me SO sad to hear about this, and it made my turn at the challenge so much more meaningful. Not only was I dousing myself in ice cold water for Pete Frates and to raise awareness for this terrible disease, I was doing it as a way to say thank you to Corey Griffin, the leading inspiration behind the challenge.
So, with that said, I challenge YOU to go out there and spread more awareness. Talk about it, pour ice water over your head, but more than anything, think about donating– the biggest help of all. It doesn’t take much, but every little bit counts. I was going to donate all along, but getting to pour ice cold water all over myself after a morning workout was icing on the cake… kind of… 😉
Burpees to Bubbly 
I love all the information you included – I did not realize that the guy who got this started for ALS drowned – very sad.
I think the problem I have with so many of the FB posts I’m seeing – none of them are linking to the site to actually make a donation.
BTW – you look great!!!
I’m glad you found it interesting, Kim. It’s such a sad story:( And yes, I feel the same way about the posts on facebook that are doing it just to do it! Thanks for the compliment- I’ve been trying to get more toned up this summer!
Hi Nick, Loved the video of your ice bucket challenge!! We(the entire group of Vacation Bible School volunteers), did the challenge with all of the kids watching–pretty funny!!! I was soaked and freezing, and had to help take down all of the decs–I was so ready to get home to change! We lost a fantastic teacher in Sanford to ALS( she babysat for you guys a few of our get-away weekends),so I was glad to participate. Can’t wait to see you this weekend! Mom
Hi Mom- I can’t believe you participated in the ice bucket challenge, too! that is so funny!! I’m so proud of you 🙂 What teacher was that? How sad 😦 Cant wait to see you, either!