What’s with the bucket challenge

We all learned the meaning of the word charity. However, is there such a thing as true charity? Are the charitable souls carrying out these acts, doing so with no expectation of some kind of return?

The recent ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease) bucket challenge was very interesting to monitor. It seems that a lot of funds were raised during this campaign, but I wonder how much awareness it has generated among people.

I have a dear friend who has been diagnosed with ALS, I consider her among one of the most vibrant and lively people that I have ever met. Even as she walked, you could barely catch up with her speed, but alas not anymore!

As her ALS condition advanced, it became painful to watch her lose her mobility, arm and leg muscles slowly degenerating. The last time I saw her, she was not giving up without a fight. She struggled to move and with the help of a Zimmerman’s frame even tried to serve us some tea. Unfortunately, because there is no known cure for this ailment will finally take away its victims.

Sadly…
So, knowing some facts about this illness and watching how some people have turned this challenge into a game or for personal gains, is very sad. In one of these challenges, a boy poured an ice bucket on his elderly mother. Then, he said, “For all the punishments you imposed on me when I was a child, this is good revenge!” They all laughed, but I did not!

Another way of raising funds seems to be selling tickets for gala dinners with influential people and celebrities. One of the most expensive tickets seems to be a lunch with Warren Buffett ( One of the richest men in the world) whose proceeds go to a charity. Here, I’m talking about millions of dollars for an hour’s lunch with him.

My opinion
Sometime back, I was watching one of these gala dinners.
The jewellery and expensive accessories people attending the function wore was an indication that this was more of a show and competition on who wears the latest from which designer store.

I keep wondering why we cannot mature to help others without the need to involve some kind of material reward in return. I think, even the expectation of a pat on the back or a certificate of recognition for a charitable act, takes away that pure intention to help the less privileged.

Hopefully, in the future there will be a more than just distribution of wealth among all, then no one will be standing in the queue to get food or shelter.
After all, there is enough to take care of everyone in the world.