FARMINGTON – Franklin County officials and staff joined other groups around the state in participating in the Ice Bucket Challenge yesterday, using a tractor to pour icy water for a good cause.
The challenge began as a grassroots effort to raise funds and awareness for the ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), and has since exploded in popularity across the country. It consists of people nominating friends to dump a bucket of ice water over their head. Those brave enough to do it donate towards finding a cure for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Currently, there is no cure for the progressive neurodegenerative disease that leads to total paralysis and death within five years of diagnosis.
Twenty-six Franklin Savings Bank employees participated earlier this week, passing the challenge onto other local financial institutions. Bangor Savings Bank and the University Credit Union have taken up the challenge and will be running their own events Thursday afternoon. Franklin County staff passed the baton to the staff members of Maine’s other counties, as well as the Farmington municipal officials.
On Monday, The ALS Association reported $15.6 million in donations had been received so far, as compared to $1.8 million during the same time period last year (July 29 to Aug. 18). At that point, the association credited the Ice Bucket Challenge for inspiring 307,598 new donors to support their work.
Cheryl, I love the swim goggles!!!
Besides getting water dumped on them–did they actually donate money? That’s the piece that I’m never sure about. Is everyone running around dumping water on themselves AND giving money?
Someone grab that lady who’s running away…………..LOL
I already did it once but if the others haven’t I would be glad to do it again. I will check it out.
To: Wilton Resident- Yes we have donated money and are walking in the ALS walk on Saturday in Bangor.
To “Wilton Resident,” the answer is YES!
At Franklin Savings Bank, we’re still collecting our employee contributions all week. We kept the window open for a week to get as many as we could for the bank’s pledge to match our donations. We may fall a tad short of the $1,000 matching pledge maximum, but not a lot, so that will be nearly $2,000 for ALS, just from us.
Those who participate in the Ice Bucket Challenge are supposed to contribute $10 and take the ice bucket or $100 and avoid it. Of all the people I know who have done it or bowed out, yes, they have made the contribution. It would be despicable not to if you have accepted the challenge. There are plenty of people who want nothing to do with it and nothing is expected from them.
Call it gimmicky or silly or self-promoting, but you must acknowledge it is working. According to the ALS Association, as of August 20, it has received $31.5 million in donations compared to $1.9 million during the same time period last year (July 29 to August 20). I call that success!
Thanks Anna . You always make things better. I was going to say just read the last paragraph of the story, don’t just look at the pictures. And yes F.S.B. rocks.
Thanks, Mort!
And we couldn’t have pulled off the Relay for Life without YOU!
By the way, have you taken the Ice Bucket Challenge?
:-)
Since Timmy Hardy was running the bucket, when does he get dumped on? Hey Andy, hope your watch was waterproof!
Great job…and love the colorful accessories!