If you use any type of social media platform, you've heard about the Ice Bucket Challenge. From celebrities and athletes to politicians, it seems everybody's dousing themselves with buckets of ice water and then posting a video for all to see.
This week, Mayor Kevin Johnson got in on the action. He posted his video Tuesday and called out Gov. Jerry Brown, Maria Shriver and basketball legend Hakeem Olajuwon to do the same.
While the governor himself didn't respond to the challenge, it seems that the first dog of California, Sutter Brown, was willing to step in.
Today, the Sutter Brown facebook page featured a post of the corgi getting splashed with water. The post read: "Hey Kevin Johnson, standing in for the Gov Jerry Brown. A small bucket for a big cause. #ALSIceBucketChallenge." There was also a message from "Sutter Brown" stating: "Dad donated too."
The #ALSIceBucketChallenge is a wildly successful fundraising campaign for the ALS Association, a non-profit group that raises awareness and provides services for people with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
The campaign involves dumping a bucket of ice water on yourself and then challenging three others to do the same on social media or donate $100 to the ALS Association.
But some have slammed the campaign, saying it's another example of "slacktivism," where people show their support for a cause without actually having to take any action.
In drought-stricken California, there are plenty of concerns that the stunt wastes water. (Johnson even addresses this on his video saying he was doing his challenge while standing on his "dry lawn" in order to conserve water).
Despite the criticism, the ALS Association is crediting the campaign for a recent deluge in donations. According to a press release, the ALS Association has received $31.5 million in donations this year compared to the $1.9 million it received during the same time period last year.
-Capital Public Radio Staff
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