WASHINGTON – The ice bucket challenge that has taken the nation by storm in recent weeks has now spread to the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port.
Over the weekend members of the Kennedy family, including Senator Robert Kennedy’s wife Ethel, took the challenge en masse and for the cameras in support of ALS research.
Just before sloshing a sand bucket of water on herself at the urging of her grandchildren, Ethel Kennedy issued a challenge to Barack Obama:
“Welcome to Cape Code, President Obama. I nominate you.”
Kennedy told Boston.com that the family was “proud to join the wave of advocates championing increased awareness and funding for (ALS).”
The Kennedys aren’t the only ones getting wet for a good cause. Martha Stewart, Matt Lauer and Greg Norman have also joined the “fundraising phenomenon,” according to the Associated Press.
The ice bucket challenge generated $160,000 in donations during a 10-day period that ended Thursday, compared to just $14,480 during the same period the year before, the AP reported.
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