Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

#IceBucketChallenge Tally

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I’m sure you’ve seen the #icebucketchallenge burning up social media over the past week or so. For those who don’t know, there is a challenge to dump ice water over your head on video and donate $10 to ALS research or avoid the ice water and contribute $100 to the cause. Each participant calls out a group of others to do it, which has led to a ridiculous viral loop.

It all started from the work of Peter Frates, a young man and former BC baseball player diagnosed with ALS much too early in life. (Disclosure: I know the Frates family). Some have questioned the efficacy of the campaign, but its reach is undeniable. If people are following up with donations and understanding of ALS, the campaign is a big success, but for now, it could easily be seen as a silly gimmick.

Because of the popularity of this challenge, the local campaigns have been pulled in and many candidates have accepted the challenge.

Among them:

Governor:

Steve Grossman:

 

Don Berwick:

(Note: They captured a great pic: https://twitter.com/berwickforMA/status/497025758628683776)

 

Charlie Baker:

(Note: He is overdoing it on his FB page on this issue, with the last 4 posts being related to this thing.)

 

Lt. Governor:

Leland Cheung:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD9XbzlbwH8&feature=youtu.be

 

Mike Lake:

I took the #IceBucketChallenge to honor Pete Frates and raise awareness of ALS. And now I challenge Aaron Vega for State…

Posted by Mike Lake on Wednesday, August 6, 2014

 

Treasurer:

Tom Conroy:

Tonight, I accepted the #IceBucketChallenge to raise awareness for ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, in…

Posted by Tom Conroy on Sunday, August 3, 2014

 

Deb Goldberg:

 

In addition to a number of local pro athletes, everyone’s favorite carpetbagger, Scott Brown, has even gotten in on the act.

 

 

The major candidates who have not yet participated are Martha Coakley, Steve Kerrigan, Barry Finegold, and the AG candidates.

Not much to see here (except maybe for some easy jokes about Coakley again fearing the cold), but it’s an interesting little quirk hitting the Bay State right now.

 

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Comments

  2. I haven’t figured out how being doused with ice water translates into money for ALS.

    • It’s gotten lost in the virality, but everyone who does the challenge is supposed to donate $10. For those who are challenged and do not do the challenge, they are supposed to donate $100.

      • People are supposed to donate $100. All of these candidates are cheap skates. Instead of donating $100, they are trying to get publicity. I bet they don’t even donate $10.

        • Plus, those who do it, nominate 3 others. I certainly hope you are not scoffing at those who make donations.

          Buckley @ the Herald

          And for people who think the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is long on show and short on making an actual difference, there is this: ALS organizations are getting a financial bump out of the movement.

          “We are seeing 10 times the number of online donations every day,” said Carol Hamilton, development director of the ALS Therapy Development Institute, based in Kendall Square. “We are seeing an incredible number of people who didn’t know much about ALS last week and who do today.”

          Granted, the donations are small. But small donations are personal donations, and that’s the beauty of all this. Yet beyond all that — the awareness, the money — what we’re missing here is that the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is the social media equivalent of an old-fashioned church bake sale. It’s community. It’s fun. It’s people letting their hair down a little and getting caught up in the spirit of the now, like the local sheriff who agrees to sit in the dunk tank.

          Time

          Since July 29, when the campaign kicked off, more than $1.35 million dollars has been donated to the ALS Association, the organization said. The organization collected $22,000 in the same period last year.

  3. I gather that this is supposed to emulate sports, like when the coach gets doused at the end of the Super Bowl. But I feel like it would be better if they sat in the buckets.

    • I like how he’s already wet to start.

      So, that leaves Coakley and Healey among the top races? Healey says she is doing it this afternoon in Charlestown according to her FB page.

  5. Plus the obligatory 3-pointer.

    From yesterday afternoon. Love how her entire campaign staff did it and challenged the other AG campaign staffs as well. I think it is great that candidates all over are helping with this, the more awareness the better.

    Disclosure, I am a Healey supporter and volunteer.

    • It’s kind of surprising, but then again, not really. This is the kind of stuff I don’t like about Coakley and her campaign. It’s like they are always above it all.

      And this thing got even more politically weird today with Ethel Kennedy doing it. She challenged Obama, who declined the ice water, but promised to make a donation to ALS research.

      • Reminds me of what she said about the Bruins playing at Fenway. Who wants to be outside in the cold?

  7. Ethel Kennedy (Yes, she’s still alive!) has done the ice bucket challenge and has challenged President Obama to do likewise.

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