Falmouth Zoning Board to take ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

By SEAN F. DRISCOLL, August 14, 2014

FALMOUTH — Members of the Falmouth Zoning Board of Appeals are taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge next week to help raise money for Compassionate Care ALS in West Falmouth.

The organization offers support to those living with Lou Gehrig’s disease, their families and caregivers. The disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, attacks motor neurons, the cells that control the muscles.

Zoning board member Patty Johnson’s son, Eric, was diagnosed with ALS two years ago. A Falmouth native, Eric lives in New Hampshire, is married and has two daughters, ages 12 and 15. He and his family received assistance from Compassionate Care, including specialized equipment on loan.

The ice bucket challenge has gone viral on social media, with people challenging one another to dump a bucket of icy water over their heads within 24 hours or make a donation to an ALS-related charity. Ethel Kennedy and the New England Patriots have been among the notable participants.

The zoning board members will hold their ice bucket challenge at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 20 in front of Town Hall, 59 Town Hall Square. Donations may be mailed to Compassionate Care ALS, P. O. Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA 02574; made through its website, www.ccals.org; or brought to the challenge.