Wet blankets on ice water challenges

Today on social media, I read two different negative articles about the Ice Water Challenges that seem to have taken America by storm and I have to tell you, I’m annoyed.  Only in America would people bitch about something that is supposed to be a good thing that supports others.  Whether it be about the delivery, people’s intentions, or God knows what else, people are complaining about it.  That seems to be the American way.  Forget the good that it’s doing – let’s find something to kvetch about from my comfy couch while I do absolutely nothing to contribute to the greater good.  Or better yet, my contribution to the greater good is better than yours, so I can be judgmental and criticize it.

One of the chief complaints is that people are not drawing enough attention to the cause they are supporting.  My response to that is – how are they hurting the cause?  Does it really matter that John is only doing the challenge so he can be shirtless on camera and show off his abs, or Tiffany just wants to look noble in front of her country club friends and neither are educating me on what the cause is about?  I couldn’t give a rat’s ass less.  They’re publicly saying, “this organization is worthy of my help” and that’s enough for me.  Then there’s the domino effect.  These two do the challenge – then challenge their friends, let’s say four total, then those four each challenge four, then those sixteen each challenge four…. Well, you get the idea.  Much like an unaltered cat will multiply (please, spay and neuter!), so did this challenge and the good it’s doing.  And frankly, it kind of did my soul good to see so many people get behind something positive for a change.  Who am I to judge if they have ulterior motives?  I don’t care about Mr. and Mrs. Smith’s intentions when they show up to a charity fundraiser.  If they’re there to hobknob, promote a “good side” to the press, show constituents they care about the people, impress their boss, win over their daughter’s future in-laws, or meet another couple they can swing with – I DON’T CARE.  They showed up, they donated money, and they legitimized the cause.

Another grievance is that so many people are opting to do the challenge and not donate.  Okay, here are my two issues with that.  1) OF COURSE they’re doing the challenge – otherwise you probably wouldn’t know about it and 2) every video I have seen, the people are saying they are donating some amount to some cause – although ALS research seems to be the celebrity beneficiary, two of the charities that are dear to my heart (LEWC and SaveThePetsAZ) have been local recipients.  How is this a bad thing?  “Well, how many are REALLY donating what they say they will?”  I don’t know – and again, I DON’T CARE.  I’m betting on the fact that they made a video for the world to see – including the charity they are supporting – and said they are going to donate will be motivation enough for them to follow through.  But, as in life, there are going to be people who don’t keep their word.  Hopefully the people they called out will at least keep theirs and hence, they still helped in some small way.  In animal rescue, we know people back out all the time from commitments they make (agreeing to foster, pledging money to help with vet care, donating food, etc.) but the MAJORITY come through.  I’ll take 10 people publicly saying they’re going to do something and only have eight come through than four people privately saying it and following through ANY day.  That’s what this challenge is – a numbers game.  By calling out 1,000 people who may have never contributed and even getting only a 75% return, that’s still 75% more than there was.  And even if they can't afford to donate, this provides a way for them to show support; where's the harm in that?

And finally, the water wasting…. Unless you’ve never played in the hose, let your shower run to “get warm,” taken a bath, swam in a pool, rewashed the clothes in the washer because you forgot about them, let the water run while brushing your teeth, or emptied your cooler full of water and ice after your trip to the beach is over, you really need to shut the hell up about this one.  

In short, I’m in a bit of a tizzy about this because people are taking something positive and actively looking to find something negative about it when there is ZERO gain to be had in finding something bad and so much to be reaped in finding the good.