ST. GEORGE — Staff at Wilson Electronics spent their afternoon dousing themselves with ice water for the trending ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, and with the help of the St. George Fire Department, their attempt to raise awareness for a cure of Lou Gehrig’s disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, made quite a splash.
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Videocast by Devan Chavez, St. George News
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has been a popular online movement in which those “challenged” or “called-out” have 24 hours to either donate money to the ALS Association, or dump a bucket of ice water over their head. The participants can then continue the cycle by naming a person or group of their choice who must make the same decision.
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. As it progresses, the disease can cause the brain to lose control over muscle movement, which can eventually lead to paralysis or death.
Wilson Electronics was “challenged” by another St. George business, the 3G Store, to complete the challenge within the 24-hour time limit. Don Blohm, chief operating officer of Wilson Electronics, said they gladly accepted the challenge with great enthusiasm. In the end Wilson Electronics decided to not only douse themselves with buckets of ice water and fire hoses, but also donated a total of $2,500 to the ALS Association.
Over 50 employees at Wilson Electronics participated in the challenge. After filling dozens of buckets with water and crushed ice, they collectively dumped the contents on one another, followed by an extended stream of water from the St. George Fire Department’s water hose.
“I think most of us have agreed that the ice water was a little colder than we expected,” Blohm said. “The fire truck contribution was actually welcome because the water seemed a bit warmer.”
Wilson Electronics issued forward the challenge to St. George Mayor Jon Pike, Utah Congressman Chris Stewart, and the electronics store’s sister company zBoom out of Atlanta, Georgia, collectively; and staff at Wilson Electronics said they are anxious to see if they will accept.
Jonathan Bacon, director of marketing for Wilson Electronics, said he wanted to thank all of the company’s staff who chose to come out and support a good cause.
“It’s always great to come out and support a cause (like) ALS,” Bacon said. “It was great to see the company supporting it, great to see so many employees that came out for it, and (it) was just a blast.”
While the ALS challenge is a positive way for people to get out and help make a difference, Simon brewer, vice president of finance control for Wilson Electronics, said, everyone should continue to be on the lookout for more ways to help make the world a better place.
“Personally, I think it’s important to get people involved in good things,” Bacon said. “We need more good going around this community, this state and this world.”
Those wanting to learn more about the ALS Association can visit the official website, and learn how they can also take part in the Ice Bucket Challenge.
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