By @TheDailyPayoff
A year after the viral video Ice Bucket Challenge phenomenon swept the nation, the co-founders of the charitable stunt will attempt to re-ignite the movement at Yonkers Raceway in Westchester, NY.
Co-founders Pat Quinn of Yonkers, NY and Pete Frates of Boston, MA, both ALS patients, saw their idea translate into millions of copycat videos and millions of dollars in donations toward a cure for ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
They will join Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, City Council President Liam McLaughlin and Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway trackside on Sunday, August 2. Quinn will lead participants in a simultaneous ice bucket challenge to reignite the viral social media movement through the month of August to benefit ALS research. The first 1,000 participants will receive a free 2015 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge t-shirt courtesy of Empire City Casino.
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano
For those unfamiliar with the process, a person dumps a bucket of ice and water over his or her head, challenging three friends to either do the same, donate to the ALS charity of their choice, or both. To date, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has generated more than $220 million in donations for ALS-oriented nonprofits, according to Yonkers Raceway officials.
Many of those donations have been invested or allocated to support new ALS research efforts, increased advocacy, and expanded and improved local care and services for people diagnosed with ALS, their families, and care providers.
“Pat Quinn’s fight and determination to combat this horrible disease has been nothing short of inspirational,” said Spano. “With Pat as our fearless leader, the City of Yonkers hopes to recharge the energy we all felt last summer as part of the Ice Bucket Challenge. We encourage any and all to join us on August 2 so we can continue to make strides in finding a cure to ALS.”
Tim Rooney, president and CEO of Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway, said the casino and track were proud to be associated with the event.
“Having lost my uncle, Fr. Silas Rooney, to this disease my family is all too familiar with its devastating effects. Efforts to raise awareness and research funds are vital and must continue.”
Quinn expressed his gratitude to the Yonkers community as a whole for their support. ” We are now living by the mantra, ‘Every August Until A Cure’. Although last summer did wonders for our battle, we still have no treatment. We still have no cure.”
Anyone interested in registering to participate in the challenge can visit www.yonkersny.gov. Participants will be provided a bucket donated by Home Depot, ice and water. The afternoon also will feature music and entertainment for all to enjoy.