Like the rest of the Internet I've been watching the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Yes, they are fun to watch. My 17 yr old son and his friend did a great one involving his truck. While noboby had "nominated" me, I had been thinking about pro-actively taking the challenge and calling people out. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that while a wildly successful fundraiser for the ALS Association, the challenge has taken on a life of its own and now seems to as much about the person taking the challenge as it is about fundraising. I didn't want to be just another person saying, "Look at me." I've read a number of articles and commentaries about this challenge, many lamenting that the challenge is overshadowing the cause. Don't get me wrong, I applaud everyone who took the challenge and especially those who contributed financially as well. But at this point I think the meme is at its end.
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So, I decided to simply make a $100 donation to the ALS Association. Primarily because I believe in their cause. I have known a few families devastated by this disease so my inspiration is them and not some artificial need to feel like I belong to a special club. The reason I am even posting this is because even though I am skipping the ice, I am still issuing a challenge to the PowerShell community to step up and join me. If you want to do the ice bucket thing and get specific people involved, then by all means do so. But the true aim of this challenge, which I don't want to get lost, is to raise money for a worthy cause.
You can learn more about the association and make an online donation at http://www.alsa.org/
To be clear, I hope you will make whatever contribution you are comfortable with and you do not need to share it.
You are also not required to donate to the ALS Association. There are other ALS related charities that you may feel better about. Or perhaps something in your community. Just be a part of it because it feels like the right thing to do not because you are being pressured (from myself included) or the need to “belong”.
You rock Mr. Hicks.