A cooling challenge

Posted 8/28/14

Take some water, add some ice, put it in a bucket and raise more than $79 million.

It sounds impossible, but that’s what the ice bucket challenge has done to raise funds to fight ALS since the …

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A cooling challenge

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Take some water, add some ice, put it in a bucket and raise more than $79 million.

It sounds impossible, but that’s what the ice bucket challenge has done to raise funds to fight ALS since the phenomenon captured the public’s attention and went viral. The challenge could be likened to a charity ponzi, where the person accepting the challenge in turn challenges a couple more people and they challenge more, so as this chain grows the contributions keep adding up.

The Ice Bucket Challenge isn’t an ALS Association fundraising gimmick – other charities have likewise found cold hard cash in buckets of ice and water. This challenge originated with Peter Frates, who has now lost his voice from the disease. He encouraged his friends to participate, and it took off from there. Many of those accepting the challenge post videos on the web, which escalated the frenzy when celebrities including Katie Couric, Chris Christie, Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey, to name a few, accepted the challenge. As an example of the chain effect, actor and author Tyler Perry challenged co-anchor at “CBS This Morning” Gayle King, who in turn challenged basketball player Lebron James, who then challenged President Obama. Obama has not taken the challenge…yet. Not everyone has filled the bucket with water and ice. Actor Charlie Sheen showered himself in cash and then made a $10,000 donation to ALS.

The bucket fever has also hit Rhode Island.

Job Lot President Marc Perlman, challenged by Cardi’s Furniture, did it with lots of ice and then wrote out a check for $10,000 as well as issuing his own challenges – Ned Handy of Washington Trust being one. Many elected officials have accepted the challenge. According to the Rhode Island ALS, the Rhode Island congressional delegation is the first full state delegation to take the challenge.

But it’s not only big names and big bucks.

Companies, organizations, schools and family and friends have gotten into the act. Among the many is Dennis Winn, principal of Greenwood School in Warwick. He’ll be cooling off Friday as a result of the challenge issued by the school’s sixth grade.

We expect other organizations will look to copy the ice bucket challenge in hopes of raising funds for their causes. And like other crazes, we imagine, this will pass and the fad will fade.

Nonetheless, we welcome such an outpouring not only for the cause it supports, but also the generosity of so many. It makes you believe although conquering such a devastating disease for which there is no known cure may be beyond reach at this time, that we can rally to fight it. It gives hope and raises awareness. And the fact that we’re having fun doing it makes it even better, albeit chilling.

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