ALS Ice Bucket craze comes to Pine Island

Aug 27, 2014 2 min read

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At Little Lilly’s Island Deli, from left, Robin Lilly, Matt Romejko, Kristy Willcox, Bridgette Coogan and Sierra Wilder. Pourers: Scarlet Player, Nicole Rivera and Julia Simpson. PHOTO PROVIDED

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The staffers at Woody’s Waterside douse themselves as part of the ALS ice bucket challenge. PHOTO PROVIDED

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The general manager of Lazy Flamingo Bokeelia, Eric Post, was challenged by another local restaurant for the ALS ice bucket challenge and he was a great sport about it! PHOTO PROVIDED

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The crew at the Ragged Ass Saloon also accepted the challenge. PHOTO PROVIDED

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Century 21 Sunbelt Realty broker Mike Shevlin challenged all other Century 21 offices in Lee County to the ALS challenge. Participants from the office are, from left, Norma Salter, Carlyn Herring, Jeanette Jones, Mike Shevlin, Bruce Sines, Don Hayford.

The ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge” is sweeping the country and what started as a fund-raising campaign has become an internet sensation raising more than $50 million. It seems everyone is participating from former President George Bush to Bill Gates, Ethel Kennedy, Mark Zuckerberg and Oprah Winfrey.

Last Tuesday, Little Lilly’s Island Deli took the challenge from Woody’s Waterside.

The Ice Bucket Challenge is an activity involving dumping a bucket of ice water on one’s head or donating to the ALS Association. Either of these events must take place within 24 hours of the challenge and must be filmed. Those challenged must announce their acceptance of the challenge followed by the pouring of the ice and water on their heads.

“We at Little Lilly’s accept the challenge from Woody’s Waterside,” Lilly said. “And we would like to challenge Cambio Dermatology and local band the HipNauticals as well as several friends and family members.”

It may have all begun on the island when Ragged Ass Saloon challenged Low Key Tiki which challenged Woody’s Waterside. Woody’s then challenged Little Lilly’s Island Deli and Little Lilly’s Island Deli challenged Cambio Dermatology and HipNauticals.

“It’s all for a good cause to raise awareness for ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)” Robin Lilly said. ALS, often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. As these nerve cells degenerate paralysis gradually sets in.

The ALS Association website states that since July 29, when the challenge started, they have collected $50.3 million, 16 times the amount raised in the same time period last year.