Task #26: Accept the No Ice-Bucket Challenge (Kim)

26.  The No Ice-Bucket Challenge

I was encouraged to participate in the ever-popular ice bucket challenge in the summer but never did it.  What bothered me about the ice bucket challenge was video participants often did not donate the money to charity because the choice was either to donate the money OR post the video.  The point of such a challenge should not be the media attention but the awareness of a disease.

As Will Oremus satirically writes in "Take the 'No Ice-Bucket Challenge'", "Be warned, though, the #noicebucketchallenge is not for the faint of heart. It requires real fortitude to give away your hard-earned cash without the promise of receiving piles of Facebook likes in return.".  (http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2014/08/12/icebucketchallenge_you_don_t_need_an_ice_bucket_to_donate_to_als_research.html)

From February 28 to March 1, I will be participating in the 30 Hour Famine for the first time.  This event entails thirty hours of fasting to raise money and awareness for world hunger.  I recently gave a speech at church telling the congregation exactly how they can get involved because there are so many ways to participate in World Vision events.  The particular event features involves over one hundred and fifty teens from different parishes, and it something amazing to witness.

The 30 Hour Famine is sponsored by World Vision.  Because of the 30 Hour Famine, I accepted the "No Ice-Bucket Challenge".  This entails raising money for a charity you believe in rather than posting a video on social media.

With the help of family and friends, I have reached my goal of fundraising through the World Vision website.  The cost of large latte at Starbucks can feed a child for almost a week, and $35 is enough to support a child for a month.  This shows that even a small amount of money donated through this organization can make a significant impact in someone's life.

If you would like to support my cause, you can do so here:

http://youth.worldvision.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=5235

I also encourage that next time you are nominated for a challenge like the ice bucket challenge, you make sure to consider the true purpose of the challenge.  Getting caught up in tagging your friends on a video is not the point, but raising awareness and funds for a worthy causes is the important goal.


Thank you.

Task #20 Completed: Stand For An Entire School Day (Rachael)

Kim and I came up with this task in a collaborative sense. This idea was born from the fact that I hate sitting down during our Euro class; Mr. O often asks me if I'm okay because I'm still standing long after the bell rings. Basically the way this task developed was due to the fact that since I complained so much about sitting down, Kim challenged me to stand for an entire day.  This task also raised some awareness for our project: when people asked why I was standing I explained what our project was and encouraged them to attend our presentation in May.

I will say two additional things about this experience: I now appreciate my desk in Mr. O's class more than I ever thought I would. The second comment I have is a piece of advice to all that attempt to stand for seven hours straight, do not make the same mistake I did: please wear shoes with support.