BAYONNE – Mayor James Davis got doused with a bucket of ice water to show he’s not only a good sport, but a supporter of the ALS Association’s Ice Bucket Challenge.
The Ice Bucket Challenge is a recent phenomenon, fueled by social media, through which friends, family members, and associates are challenged to either donate to the ALS Association or allow others to throw a bucket of ice water on them. Many donate anyway.
Davis received his water treatment at 4:12 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19 in front of City Hall at the hands of City Clerk Robert Sloan. The mayor had been challenged by Joshua, his 7-year-old son, and Jeff Meyer, a city consultant. Hearing he had been challenged by at least 12 others on social media sites, the mayor decided to accept his fate.
“I figured I better get it done,” said Davis, who will also make a donation.
The mayor in turn challenged Bayonne Board of Education President William Lawson and Bayonne Teachers Association head Alan D’Angelo. The union and board are locked in a nearly five-year stalemate over a contract for city teachers.
The ALS Association reported on Tuesday that it received $22.9 million in donations from July 29 to Aug. 19, much of it attributable to the Ice Bucket Challenge. The group raised $1.9 million during the same period last year.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, eventually leading to death. Yankee Hall of Famer Gehrig died from the disease. – Joseph Passantino
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