Potandon Produce Takes The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Potandon Produce is stepping up to take the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and make a donation to the ALS Association.

Steve Ottum, COO at Potandon threw down the gauntlet, taking the challenge and issuing a challenge of his own, offering to donate for every employee who took the icy bath.

Employees were then encouraged to nominate individuals and companies within the produce industry to get involved, take the challenge and donate to the ALS Association.

The challenge, which involves daring a person to dump a bucket of ice water over their head or donate money towards fighting ALS has been wildly successful. Between July 29, when the challenge began, and August 18 the ALS Association has raised $31.5 million and brought an elevated awareness of the disease.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease is a rapidly progressing fatal neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells which control motor skills, causing people to lose muscle control, including the ability to eat, speak, and eventually breathe. Life expectancy for those diagnosed with the disease is between two and five years. Current medical research has shown some promise for extending the life expectancy of those with the disease, but no cure has been found.

The challenge started in July when Pete Frates, a former Boston College baseball player who has been living with ALS for two years, created the challenge along with friend and fellow ALS patient Pat Quinn with the goal of raising both money and awareness.

Potandon donated $500 to the cause with 36 employees accepting the challenge.

You can see all the videos at www.facebook.com/potandonproduce.

You can donate to the ALS Association at www.alsa.org/donate.