Cold Water/Ice Bucket Challenge

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Sundrop

Sunny the Great & Wonderful
Jun 12, 2008
28,520
156,619
Okay, I understand the idea and the concept.....and I don't want to sound like I'm knocking the fundraising efforts, but I have to ask.....
Wouldn't it make more sense to challenge people to make donations in whatever amount they can afford, rather than spend all the time....not to mention wasting all the water and ice....in trying to avoid making the larger donation? I don't get it.
I was challenged this weekend, and I won't be videoing myself dumping ice water on myself in order to prove anything, or to avoid making a donation.
....and before anyone snarks or calls me a Grinch, one of my best friend's father died with ALS, and I am aware, I do care, and I do donate money to the research. I just don't agree with all "the show" that surrounds what I perceive as dumping water on yourself to avoid donating the money. I don't get it.
 

Moderator

Ms. Mod
Administrator
Jul 10, 2006
52,243
157,324
Maine
Okay, I understand the idea and the concept.....and I don't want to sound like I'm knocking the fundraising efforts, but I have to ask.....
Wouldn't it make more sense to challenge people to make donations in whatever amount they can afford, rather than spend all the time....not to mention wasting all the water and ice....in trying to avoid making the larger donation? I don't get it.
I was challenged this weekend, and I won't be videoing myself dumping ice water on myself in order to prove anything, or to avoid making a donation.
....and before anyone snarks or calls me a Grinch, one of my best friend's father died with ALS, and I am aware, I do care, and I do donate money to the research. I just don't agree with all "the show" that surrounds what I perceive as dumping water on yourself to avoid donating the money. I don't get it.
I think most people do donate the money but the challenge itself and the videos are what has raised the awareness and made the fundraising efforts go viral. Not guilting people into giving the money may have actually made them be more generous--somewhat the same idea I'm seeing from some folks the Pay It Forward thread.
 

Sundrop

Sunny the Great & Wonderful
Jun 12, 2008
28,520
156,619
I think most people do donate the money but the challenge itself and the videos are what has raised the awareness and made the fundraising efforts go viral. Not guilting people into giving the money may have actually made them be more generous--somewhat the same idea I'm seeing from some folks the Pay It Forward thread.
Like I said, I understand the concept and the idea. I'm glad that awareness has been raised, and I've seen some really cool videos. I just don't think it's as effective on the same level with average working folks as it is with celebrity types......and I think of all the places where good water is a luxury, not to mention ice.....and I see it as sorta wasteful.
 

Out of Order

Sign of the Times
Feb 9, 2011
29,007
162,154
New Hampster
I think a lot of folks are doing both the challenge and the donation part. It's probably the biggest social media assisted fundraising endeavor yet. They said on the news that last year ALS only raised a fraction of what they have raised so far with this campaign. I hear ya though Sunny, I didn't get it to begin with either, but they must be doing something right.
 

HollyGolightly

Well-Known Member
Sep 6, 2013
9,660
74,320
54
Heart of the South
This may be irrelevant, but it seems the right place to share. I've been wanting to share with y'all, because I know you won't laugh at me.

I'm not a fan of facebook, but I have to admit to silently cruising around it sometimes (is this called stalking?). The ice bucket thing really makes me want to stay in hiding. I am not posting a video of myself ever doing anything.

So I watched some of my fb friends do the challenge and I laughed a little or rolled my eyes. But when I sat down to my computer last night, one of my kids had turned on my sound (I keep it off), and I suddenly I heard the voice of a friend I hadn't seen or heard in person for at least 30 years. It actually moved me to tears. So I re-watched several and got the same reaction. I can't believe what a pile of mush that turned me in to. Why seeing someone I haven't seen in years didn't move me as much as their voices, I can't say. But wow - imagine if I could actually reach out and hug some of them. Sheesh, I'm not known for sentimentality, but there ya go. I surprise even myself sometimes.
 

Sundrop

Sunny the Great & Wonderful
Jun 12, 2008
28,520
156,619
I think a lot of folks are doing both the challenge and the donation part. It's probably the biggest social media assisted fundraising endeavor yet. They said on the news that last year ALS only raised a fraction of what they have raised so far with this campaign. I hear ya though Sunny, I didn't get it to begin with either, but they must be doing something right.
I agree....they're doing something right. I remember when my friend's father died, most people were like "ALS, what's that?"
So yeah, I'm very happy for the awareness and funds that are being raised.
Maybe I'm just too analytical sometimes.....maybe I should learn to suck it up, and be quiet. That last part probably won't happen, so don't get your hopes up :biggrin2:
 

Sundrop

Sunny the Great & Wonderful
Jun 12, 2008
28,520
156,619
This may be irrelevant, but it seems the right place to share. I've been wanting to share with y'all, because I know you won't laugh at me.

I'm not a fan of facebook, but I have to admit to silently cruising around it sometimes (is this called stalking?). The ice bucket thing really makes me want to stay in hiding. I am not posting a video of myself ever doing anything.

So I watched some of my fb friends do the challenge and I laughed a little or rolled my eyes. But when I sat down to my computer last night, one of my kids had turned on my sound (I keep it off), and I suddenly I heard the voice of a friend I hadn't seen or heard in person for at least 30 years. It actually moved me to tears. So I re-watched several and got the same reaction. I can't believe what a pile of mush that turned me in to. Why seeing someone I haven't seen in years didn't move me as much as their voices, I can't say. But wow - imagine if I could actually reach out and hug some of them. Sheesh, I'm not known for sentimentality, but there ya go. I surprise even myself sometimes.
I think we've reached "that age" where we either turn into unfeeling witches, or crying saps......or a combination of both.
Maybe we just need more wine.....
 

AnnaMarie

Well-Known Member
Feb 16, 2012
7,068
29,564
Other
Okay, I understand the idea and the concept.....and I don't want to sound like I'm knocking the fundraising efforts, but I have to ask.....
Wouldn't it make more sense to challenge people to make donations in whatever amount they can afford, rather than spend all the time....not to mention wasting all the water and ice....in trying to avoid making the larger donation? I don't get it.
I was challenged this weekend, and I won't be videoing myself dumping ice water on myself in order to prove anything, or to avoid making a donation.
....and before anyone snarks or calls me a Grinch, one of my best friend's father died with ALS, and I am aware, I do care, and I do donate money to the research. I just don't agree with all "the show" that surrounds what I perceive as dumping water on yourself to avoid donating the money. I don't get it.


Nobody should feel pressured to do a video. Nobody should feel pressured to make a donation.

Many years ago a young man decided to walk across Canada. He did this to raise awareness about cancer. He also managed to raise an enormous amount of money. Now, every September people all across Canada participate in Terry Fox Marathon of Hope walks. If all they did was donate money, they would lose the awareness factor that these walks bring.

On a personal note, I would like to thank you for posting your feelings without criticizing ALSA. I have someone on my FB list who repeatedly is posting inaccurate information about them. I don't know if she just misses the cat videos or what.
 

Lepplady

Chillin' since 2006
Nov 30, 2006
12,498
65,639
Red Stick
I think that most people do both, donate and take the bucket challenge.
In this day and age, we're so inundated with mainstream media images that it sometimes takes a fad like this to raise awareness about some things like medical issues that could use the help and attention. I'm all for it. Obviously.
 

doowopgirl

very avid fan
Aug 7, 2009
6,946
25,119
65
dublin ireland
Like I said, I understand the concept and the idea. I'm glad that awareness has been raised, and I've seen some really cool videos. I just don't think it's as effective on the same level with average working folks as it is with celebrity types......and I think of all the places where good water is a luxury, not to mention ice.....and I see it as sorta wasteful.
I have to agree with your attitude. It just seems like making a big show of making a donation.
 

Lord Tyrion

Well-Known Member
Oct 24, 2013
1,582
6,257
I think a lot of folks are doing both the challenge and the donation part. It's probably the biggest social media assisted fundraising endeavor yet. They said on the news that last year ALS only raised a fraction of what they have raised so far with this campaign. I hear ya though Sunny, I didn't get it to begin with either, but they must be doing something right.

The ALS Association has raised $62.5 million so far this year, whereas last year they only raised $2.4 million (Ice Bucket Challenge Donations Reach $62.5 Million - The ALS Association). The other reason its been a success is that it has raised Awareness of the issue. I never knew much about ALS until I saw the videos go viral and I asked questions about it. It's been pretty effective.

The other great part of it is that celebrities aren't the only ones getting involved. Working class folks have gotten in on the cause which is great.
 

Sundrop

Sunny the Great & Wonderful
Jun 12, 2008
28,520
156,619
Nobody should feel pressured to do a video. Nobody should feel pressured to make a donation.

Many years ago a young man decided to walk across Canada. He did this to raise awareness about cancer. He also managed to raise an enormous amount of money. Now, every September people all across Canada participate in Terry Fox Marathon of Hope walks. If all they did was donate money, they would lose the awareness factor that these walks bring.

On a personal note, I would like to thank you for posting your feelings without criticizing ALSA. I have someone on my FB list who repeatedly is posting inaccurate information about them. I don't know if she just misses the cat videos or what.

I have no reason to criticize ALSA. I think they're doing a wonderful thing.
 

FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
44,082
175,641
New Zealand
Without the Ice Bucket challenge going viral in the way it has done, the ALS/MND societies would never have made the amount they have, in such a short time. I believe that it has been marketed in the most perfect way--this (whether we like it or not) is currently how the human race responds to... anything.
ALS/MND are such underfunded, obscure kinds of illnesses, that to me (personally) I don't care how they did it... just that they did.
 

Lepplady

Chillin' since 2006
Nov 30, 2006
12,498
65,639
Red Stick
Without the Ice Bucket challenge going viral in the way it has done, the ALS/MND societies would never have made the amount they have, in such a short time. I believe that it has been marketed in the most perfect way--this (whether we like it or not) is currently how the human race responds to... anything.
ALS/MND are such underfunded, obscure kinds of illnesses, that to me (personally) I don't care how they did it... just that they did.
What she said. ^^
If something isn't making national headlines, it gets ignored. I'm glad these people are getting some attention. And money.
 
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