The gauntlet has been thrown. BUT THE FUN was only halfway over. WHILE OTHER groups have received help through the challenge, most have earmarked their donations to the ALS Association, the only national, non-profit organization dedicated to fighting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
By Friday morning, a large chunk of the Iola High School population had been challenged to get icy wet — all for a good cause.
The IHS Marching Mustangs took part Friday morning in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, a Facebook-based fundraiser for the ALS Association. Their challenge came courtesy of instructor Matt Kleopfer, who himself was challenged and doused himself in ice water one day earlier.
As per the unofficial rules of the challenge, anybody who is challenged must either douse himself with a bucket of ice water or donate $100 to the ALS Association. Those who do partake must still make a donation, but can choose how much to contribute. (Some have chosen other charitable organizations to benefit.)
The marching band’s drum majors, Trilby Bannister and Yohon Sinclair, have since extended the challenge to other area schools, including the Humboldt, Chanute, Burlington and Santa Fe Trail bands, as well as “our best friends in the world,” the Iola Middle School Marching Band, Sinclair said.
A video of the band’s challenge has been posted on the Register’s Facebook page.
Kleopfer agreed to donate $2 to the ALS Association for every bucket utilized in Friday morning’s dump. At more than 50 members, he expected to hand over more than $100.
The middle schoolers will accept their challenge Monday, Kleopfer said.
Another group challenged by Kleopfer, USD 257 Superintendent of Schools Jack Koehn and IHS administrators, Principal Stacey Fager, Athletic Director Martin Bambick and Assistant Principal Matt Hoffman, took their turn next.
They, in turn, have challenged all of USD 257’s fall sports teams, as well as school administrators throughout the rest of the Pioneer League.
Iola Rotary Club members also got in on the act Thursday.
President Bob Hawk mentioned a challenge from former Iolan Fred Heismeyer, of the East Wichita Rotary Club, to take the ice bucket challenge.
Hawk pledged $100 to ALS, mentioned he had had two friends die of the disease, and then auctioned the right for a club member to dump a bucket of ice water over his head. Melody Snesrud paid $30 for the honor.
The disease affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, eventually cutting a person’s ability to control his muscles. Patients in later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed. There is no known cure. Typically, death occurs within two to five years of diagnosis.
The growing social media phenomena have proven beneficial for the organization. Since July 29, the group received $53.3 million in donations, compared to $2.2 million for the same period last year.
Icy challenge hits Iola High School
