The Ice Bucket Challenge

I knew it was only a matter of time before someone nominated me for the ice bucket challenge.  
And while I get the premise behind it and I completely understand why people do it I'm not a fan. Personally, I'd like to give in a different way.  I like to volunteer at the food bank or...oh I dunno...devote my life to the United States Military.  I don't really have extra money to give, so instead, I like to volunteer and work to make a difference.  It's what I do best. 
Before you get butt-hurt let me tell you something:  I don't think any less of a person who participates.  It's always great to donate to a good cause.  No matter the motivation, giving to an organization that does good things for people is a good thing. Don't think I'm attacking anyone personally or saying that you didn't do a good thing.  
While I doubt that there are many people who don't know about the Ice Bucket Challenge, you can read about it here.  In summary though, it's a challenge designed to raise money and awareness for a little-known (well...not really anymore) disease. 

1. "Approximately 5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. The incidence of ALS is two per 100,000 people, and it is estimated that as many as 30,000 Americans may have the disease at any given time."
2. That is directly from the website.  Okay, so now that you know about it lets continue.  I read this article about the challenge its self.  They called it 'Slactivism'  which I think is a little bit unfair.  Anyone who donates is doing a good thing and shouldn't be called a "slacktivist".  What we should be doing is looking at other organizations that raise money for causes and ask them this:  Why didn't you think of this? 

Donating to this particular cause is easy.  They have a website that links directly to a place where you can give any amount of money.  They have the challenge that started a huge chain reaction and got people who probably wouldn't donate otherwise to do so. 

Instead of being critical of it, maybe you should try to be more like it.  

Just so you know, this post started about an hour ago as one that was talking about how I think the challenge is dumb and how I agreed with the "slacktivism" article.  The more I thought about it, though, the less I agreed.  

I'm still not going to dump a bucket of ice-water on my head...Instead, I'm going to participate in an event that honors veterans, volunteer at a triathlon, and work to do things that make the world I live in a better place. 

Get involved.  Work hard.  Donate if you can.  Volunteer if you can.  Participate in food drives/clothing drives.  Pick up that piece of trash you passed by in the parking lot and toss it in the trash.  Recycle.  Give to Toys for Tots.  Join the military.  Feed the missionaries or a starving college student ;)