With everyone and their mother challenging each other to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, I thought of many ways I could be snarky and cynical about this, but decided I would like to make one single post on why I will not be participating in this campaign.
- While ALS may be a worthwhile cause and a tragic disease, there are numerous other charities that also could use the money, but not getting the notoriety that the Ice Bucket Challenge is getting.
- When I choose to make donations to charities, it has to be something I have a strong tie to. Charities like JDRF, Catholic Charities, Goodwill, or Habitat for Humanity have all received donations from me in the past, and deal with causes I believe in. Because I have a tie, does not mean that you have one and I would not ask you to donate in charities in a challenge or on a whim.
- The ice bucket challenge is symptomatic of the selfie generation. This campaign feels more about look at what I did, rather than the charity of choice. It also feels that the campaign has "jumped the shark" especially with the number of celebrities focussed on the challenge without saying what it is for.
If you feel like donating to ALS, go ahead. Same if you want to have fun dumping ice over your head. Just don't expect me to do the same.