- December 25, 2024
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Have you noticed a reoccurring theme to posts on your Facebook feed recently? I have.
The Cold Water Challenge has taken over. Each day, multiple videos have been posted of people playing in or plunging into water and then challenging someone to do the same. I have seen things like this before. But this challenge is different. This challenge gives back.
“It’s almost like a pay it forward, but it’s a lot of fun,” said Robert Harper, who completed his challenge over the weekend with friend and running buddy Chris Magnell.
I had seen several videos posted, but had yet to watch one until Chris and Robert’s video went live.
“No words can describe what you are about to watch,” Jason Hartley wrote on Facebook with the repost of the video.
While sitting in my cubicle at the office, I plugged my headphones in and gave it a play. I couldn’t contain my laughter. The two played up their challenge complete with a “Zoolander” parody, costumes and a soundtrack. Now, I was intrigued. I set out to find more information about this challenge.
What exactly is it? What is its purpose? What are the rules?
The social media craze is designed to generate excitement and money for charities. There seems to be no official rules, but the generally agreed upon guidelines are that once you are challenged, you have 24 hours to complete the challenge. Get wet. You can only challenge somebody if you yourself have been challenged. Also, pick a charity. If you don’t complete the challenge in the allotted time, or choose not to participate, you are called to pay $100 to the challenger’s charity. If you do complete it, you are called to pay $10 to the charity of your choice. Videos are encouraged because it is proof that you did it. Videos are also great because it allows for creativity and fun.
The Cold Water Challenge has been sweeping the nation for some time now, but it is rumored to have been introduced to Flagler County by Jason Hartley, organizer for the Parkview Baptist Global Missions 5K. The challenge was a way to raise money for the Global Missions 5K and also bring awareness to it. The Global Missions 5K launched in 2011 as a way to raise funds for the church’s global missions. The 2014 race will be held Sept. 1.
“When I saw (Jason) yesterday he said has been blown away with the positive impact social media can have — it’s been overwhelming,” Harper said.
While Global Missions 5K was the initial charity chosen in the local Cold Water Challenges, participants may choose any charity they want to support.
Hartley said that one of the missions of the 5K is for it to be a community event, to stretch more than just Parkview Baptist. As a runner, Hartley reached out and challenged members of the Flagler County Runners.
“I knew that once it hit the running group, it would spread to different churches and different charities,” he said. “It took on a life of its own.”
A reoccurring charity, which I am biasedly excited about, is Go Guatemala. Go Guatemala is the name given to Epic Church’s Guatemala mission teams. I participated in one of the trips last summer and I am blessed to be able to be part of the team that will be returning to Guatemala this July.
“I picked Go Guatemala because Terri and I are going and we are actually shocked that other people are choosing our charity also,” Harper said. “I have personally accepted donations for the charity that I picked and that is really exciting.”
While the funds raised are amazing, Hartley said that the sense of community that has been generated is where he feels it the most.
“We all come together for each other and our charities,” he said. “That’s what
