How the Ice Bucket Challenge Was Born
We’re sure everyone remembers the phenomenon that made its way around the world last summer known as the Ice Bucket Challenge. In case you need a refresher, the story goes Chris Kennedy posted a video on YouTube on July 15, 2014 that showed him dumping a bucket of ice water on himself. It is widely regarded as the first ALS Ice Bucket Challenge video, which sparked the movement to raise awareness. The video challenges also helped raise money for a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Kennedy challenged his sister, Jeanette Senerchia in Pelham, New York, to join in the movement. Jeanette’s husband, Anthony has ALS. One of Jeannette’s Facebook friends had a friend named Pat Quinn in Yonkers, New York and Pat had a Facebook friend named Pete Frates in Boston, Massachusetts. Pat and Pete are both fighting ALS; their social networks helped to spread the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge out of the Northeast to places across the country and even around the globe.
The Results of the Challenge
Last summer alone, two-and-a-half million Americans donated $115 million to the ALS Association, and over 17 million people took to the challenge, from various celebrities to MOSAIC’s own marketing team. This summer, they aim to replicate the challenge, aiming to make it an annual event. The challenge will begin again tomorrow and will take place every August until there is a cure. There are many ways you can participate, and it is encouraged to get as creative as possible. The website even offers “drought friendly” ideas to promote the conservation of water.
How to Participate
- Accepting the challenge and mention who challenged you to make your video.
- Pick a good place and time, then dump a bucket of ice water over your head.
- Upload your video to all your social media accounts and challenge at least three of your friends.
- Make a donation to support the ALS Association.
So grab your camera and your buckets, and join the movement. We proudly support the ALS Association this August and #EveryAugustUntilACure.
For more information, you can head over to: www.alsicebucketchallenge.org.
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