Donaire takes the #IceBucketChallenge plunge
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 20 Aug 2014
While boxing fans and online spectators wait for Manny Pacquiao?s response to Chris Algieri?s #IceBucketChallenge, another Filipino boxing superstar accepted the challenge of the popular social media phenomenon.
Nonito Donaire Jr, wife Rachel and with the help of their close friends raised more than $5,000 (and still counting as of press time) which they are donating to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association and its cause Tuesday night in their home in Las Vegas.
But the current World Boxing Association Featherweight champion made a little twist to the online challenge ? theirs entailed a dunk tank/booth station, plenty of balls for the dunkers and plenty of icy water for the dunkees who participated.
?It was fun. We did this to save water and we are donating all the ball challenges and still getting dunked.? Donaire Jr. told Philboxing.com via this writer.
The original challenge which involves the dumping of ice and icy waters over the heads of participants and challenging two or more friends on video to do the same is an online sensation that is aimed at raising awareness at the incurable disease.
Donaire Jr. was challenged on Monday by his good friend - actor and professional wrestler, Dave Bautista (Batista).
After taking the challenge, the boxing champ called on friend and National Football League (NFL) running back, Frank Gore; Top Rank President, Todd DuBoef; actor, speaker and FUBU CEO Daymond John and yes, countryman and fellow boxing champion, Manny Pacquiao to take on the similar challenge or donate to the cause.
?I think this was a great experience and everyone was such a great sport. My friends, our community did not hesitate to donate their time, money, effort and their skin not to just pour ice on them but actually get completely dunked with ice.? Donaire Jr. stated.
The couple also informed Philboxing.com that they will match the amount that will be collected tonight and that they are also planning to auction a signed photograph of Muhammad Ali, with all proceeds going to the ALS cause.
?I would love to be a part of any other fundraisers whether to raise awareness or funds for any cause. We are all human and need to take care of each other because our brothers and sisters on this earth is all we got.? added Donaire Jr.
Today, the ALS Association announced that it has received an additional $7.3 Million from existing donors and 453,210 new donors to the association, with a total of $22.9 Million in donations as compared to $1.9 Million during the same time period last year. This increase was attributed to the #IceBucketChallenge.
?Our top priority right now is acknowledging all the gifts made by donors to The ALS Association,? said Barbara Newhouse, President and CEO of The ALS Association in a statement posted on its website.
?We want to be the best stewards of this incredible influx of support. To do that, we need to be strategic in our decision making as to how the funds will be spent so that when people look back on this event in ten and twenty years, the Ice Bucket Challenge will be seen as a real game-changer for ALS.?
(For those who would want to learn about ALS and how to support them in their cause, log on to http://www.alsa.org/ - the official site of the ALS Association.)
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and is on Twitter at Freemazon910.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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