June 12 – “Cold Water Challenge”

As you can see if you take a look at my FaceBook page, I was challenged to take part in the ColdWater Challenge.  I originally thought that it was a phenomenon unique to the fire service, but I was challenged by a police officer, so I decided to look into it a little further.  Honestly, I didn’t find out much as far as origins go. 

One place said it was started in Missouri to raise money for a little girl who needed a diabetic alert dog, and the challenge went viral.  The most logical origin seems to be that it is a kind of unsanctioned spin-off of the polar plunge that is most often used by the Special Olympics as a fundraiser.  Beyond that the history is sketchy at best.  And so, as is the case with many sociological rites in our culture, the original reason is lost, but the ritual remains, and in this case is still spreading like wildfire all over the country.  This particular one is making a difference, though.  More about that in a moment.

First, for those who haven’t yet been exposed, here are the “rules:”

1.  You get “nominated” (read here “challenged” or “called out) to complete the challenge by someone who has just done it.

2.  You have 24 hours to complete the challenge and donate $10 or $20 to the charity of your choice.
3.  If you choose not to complete the challenge, you donate $50 or $100 to the charity they choose. 
Actually, the amount of the donation varies.  The important thing is that you give.  That’s the part that I like.
4.  If you complete the challenge, you upload a video of you doing it to FaceBook or YouTube.
5.  You get to challenge five more individuals.

Doing it that way, the number of people participating multiplies quickly.  Many local groups and charities have benefitted greatly already.  I chose to give to the Texas Line of Duty Death Task Force (PO Box 925, Friendswood, TX 77546), which is sort of a local version of the National Fallen Firefighters Federation.  The NFFF has issued this statement:

To the cold and wet (or warm and dry) the NFFF says Thanks!

The 24-Hour Cold Water Challenge has captured the creative minds and generous hearts of many firefighters, survivors and NFFF supporters. To those who are taking the plunge – literally or figuratively – and picking the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation as your charity, we thank you.

In the past week alone, we have received nearly 250 donations in amounts of $10 or $100, and more are coming in every day. Your donation will directly help the survivors of fallen firefighters.

As you know, safety is one of the key missions of the Foundation. We urge you to keep that in mind if you accept a challenge.

You can fulfill your challenge obligation by going to donate.firehero.org and be sure to click on the Cold Water Challenge box. You can then show others that you’ve fulfilled your promise from your confirmation screen by sharing on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and email. You can also send a check to National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, P.O. Drawer 498, Emmitsburg, MD 21727 and earmarking it as Cold Water Challenge.

Best of luck to all of those who are being “called-out” by a friend or colleague. If you post a video on social media, feel free to tag the Foundation. And please, be safe.

Apparently there have been some injuries attributed to someone taking the challenge, so if you do it, don’t be stupid.  Be safe.  Among fire fighters, I have seen all kinds of creativity.  Many have been doused with water from a fire hose.  Lots have had a trash can full of water dumped on them.  Others have jumped into a drop tank of some kind.  One guy had a bucket of ice dropped on him as he slid down a waterslide.  One just drank a large glass of ice water (Great points for creativity, but does that even count?).  I did my patented dive and swim across an icy swimming pool. 

Oh.  In my research I did find out that I was supposed to call out five people and I only did two, so I guess that means I have three to go.  Hmm.  Maybe Galveston Mayor Jim Yarbrough.  And Megan Babb.  She’s a paramedic somewhere in Tennessee I think.  I heard she was dying to be challenged.  And then there are Colt Krnavek and John Rose of the Jamaica Beach Volunteer Fire Department.  Oops, that’s six.  I better stop there.

James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

Father, walk with the families of those heroes who die in the line of duty.  Amen.