I’ve seen a lot of people doing this “ALS Ice Bucket Challenge” on social media as has anyone who currently has a pulse. At first, I thought it was going to become another one of those social media fads that don’t really help the cause to which it is bringing attention (Google: KONY2012). Then I read Emily Steele’s article from the New York Times on Monday and was impressed at what is being accomplished:

“As of Sunday, the (ALS) association said it had received $13.3 million in donations since July 29, compared with $1.7 million during the same period last year. It said there were about 260,000 new donors.”

It was exciting to see a change being made by a simple “social media fad”. So yesterday when one of my former students challenged me to the ice bucket challenge on Facebook, I felt compelled to participate, both in making the video and donating to the ALS Association. Some have made the video, some have donated, many have done both. I encourage you to participate if you are challenged. If you aren’t, find a cause meaningful to you and donate some spare change to that, if for no other reason than how great it feels to know you might possibly be making a difference.

The video of me doing the challenge can be found on my Facebook page.

For more information about ALS, the Ice Bucket Challenge, or to donate, check out the ALS Association website.