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Slideshow: Capital completes ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has swept the nation and Capital professionals have joined the trend. On the Capitol lawn this afternoon, Missouri Community College Association’s Zora Mulligan and the Council on Public Higher Education’s Paul Wagner completed the challenge, with the Department of Higher Education’s Rusty Monhollon dumping the ice water on them.  They join thousands across the country to complete the challenge, including Rep. Sheila Solon (R-Blue Springs) and lobbyist Sam Wiles.

“Originally the challenge was someone nominates you, and you have 24 hours to either complete the challenge and donate $10, or you would not complete the challenge at all, and you had to donate $100,” said Marsha Farmington, representative for the ALS foundation.

Solon nominated Gov. Jay Nixon, as well as the Blue Springs School District superintendent to complete the challenge. Sam Wiles challenged Department of Labor Director Ryan McKenna and Brad Green, Chief of Staff for Sen. Tom Dempsey to complete the challenge. McKenna said he completed the challenge yesterday.

Over $41 million has been donated to the cause since the challenge began.

Empire News, a satirical news organization, reported that the Kansas City, Missouri City Council is taking action against the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge due to drought. The Missouri Times confirmed that this is, indeed, satire and completely untrue.

Several videos have also popped up with people emphasizing that the cause is vital, encouraging people to not forget to donate.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

If you have seen someone affiliated with the Capitol complete the challenge and they’re not in the slideshow yet, shoot Rachael an email at rachael@themissouritimes.com and she will add them to the slideshow.