In the past few months, the ALS Ice Bucket challenge has been rising up on the social radar. However, few had a clue, especially in the current generation, about what the challenge was for, or what ALS is. When people scrolled down their Facebook feed, they saw the videos and pictures, but did not know the purpose.  However, despite the “No one actually donates” rumor, this challenge was made to raise awareness just as much as making money for the cause. Recently, the ALS Association reached $115 million in donations. That’s right. In one week, the amount of money received in this cause increased $9 million a day, going from $22.6 million to the whopping $115 million.

Some people believe that people are only dumping ice water on themselves as a trend and then not donating, but the donations today are booming compared to the amount they had this time last year. In August 2013, the money raised was only at $2.6 million.  It’s now clear that, even if people don’t donate, awareness is still being spread, which is just as important.

People who have been unaware of the challenge or the disease are not alone. Sophomore Meghan Plourde confessed that, “Up until [the summer], I hadn’t heard of it, but it is a genuinely good cause overall.” A cause as wonderful as this one is simply not a trend; it is a difference being made for those who are victims to such a disease.

Megan McKern, Staff Writer

Sophomore Megan McKern is a staff writer for the 2014-2015 Colonel. She participates in GSA, fencing, and the indoor soccer team.