Local businesses, Maine celebs participate in ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Sat, 08/23/2014 - 8:00pm

Going viral all over social media and on national talk shows, people far and wide are participating in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

In just seven days, donations to the ALS Association have gone from a reported $10 million on Aug. 16 to more than $62 million as of Aug. 23. It’s all due hanks to the challenge that has swept the country, according to the ALS Association’s website.

National sports teams and local little league teams have done it. ALS sufferers have done it as have countless celebrities, public officials, municipal first responders and everyone in between. What to do is easy. Fill a bucket with ice and water and dump it over your head after “calling out” at least three new people to accept the challenge and dump a bucket ice water over their head as well.

Some say the fundraiser has run its course, and there are certainly some people who have no interest in it. It’s not that they are ungiving, but likely a combination of things, least is which is be willing to be drenched with freezing cold water. No amount of preparation, commitment or courage can prevent the seemingly bravest and steeliest from squealing, wringing their hands or wishing they were anywhere but standing there waiting for the big drench.

Following are links to videos posted by some local businesses, familiar faces and even Maine celebrities, dumping buckets of ice water over their heads to raise awareness and donations for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Celebrities in Maine

Stephen King-Click to see video

“Go to http://www.alsa.org/ and kick in some dough. I did.”

John Travolta-Click to see video

“I like all kinds of ice. The round kind. the spiral shaped kind...”

George W. Bush-Click to see video

“I don’t think it’s presidential to have a bucket of ice water dumped on my head, so I’m just going to donate $100.”

Kirstie Alley-Click to see video

Ice ice baby. “From the great state of Maine, which has the BEST lobsters in the world.”

Local businesses and familiar faces

Camden Opera House-Click to see the video

Kerry and Nate rise to the challenge (the Ice Bucket Challenge, that is!)

Horch Roofing-Click to see the video

“Thank you to our friend James Day for nominating the Horch Roofing Team for the ALS #IceBucketChallenge! Our crew gladly accepted the challenge this morning and will also donate $1,000 to help fight ALS. We nominate Phi Home Designs, Knickerbocker Group, North Atlantic Painting - Rockport, Maine, Maine Home+Design Magazine, Maine Magazine and the Belfast, Camden and Rockland branches of EBS Building Supplies to do the same!”

Adventure Advertising-Click to see the video

“When our friends at Maritime Energy challenged us to the ALS Bucket Challenge, or course we had to accept. Now, we're challenging Slim Goodbody, John Viehman, Rockport, Maine Fire and Police, and Penobscot Bay Pilot.”

Samoset Resort-Click to see video

The Samoset resort's Leadership Team accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge today. We will also be making a donation in support of this worthy cause. We now call out all staff of the OPL corporate office in Portsmouth, N.H. to do the same!

Loyal Biscuit Company - click to see video

Woodlands Memory Care - Click to see video

Penobscot Bay Pilot-Click to see video

High Street in Lincolnville - Click to see video

“If we were going to do it, we would have called out Tom Groening of Working Waterfront, Derek Anderson of Athena Health and Peter Berk of North Atlantic Painting.” Oh snap!

Did you do it? If so, send us a link to your video to be added to the list.


Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com