September 16, 2014 - Universal Technical Institute Houston Staff Accept the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
More than 3 million people have taken the Ice Bucket Challenge and donated to the ALS Association (ALSA) since the challenge went viral, including the staff at Universal Technical Institute (UTI)’s Houston campus.
A social media trend that began in 2014, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is an activity designed to promote awareness of the diseases amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and encourage donations to the ALS foundation for research. The challenge requires nominated participants to be filmed having a bucket of ice water poured on their heads and then nominating others to do the same. A common stipulation is that nominated participants have 24 hours to complete the challenge or forfeit by way of a financial donation.
On Friday, August 22, the Student Services department consisting of John Rodriquez, Belinda Rojas, Kevin Knopp, Karitza Mercado, Carol Houp, Karen Rushing and Michael Code accepted the challenge. Before the group was showered with ice water, the department revealed signs that read “We challenge student services-NTI, Houston Financial Aid and CHS Central Team to take the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.”
“Our department really enjoyed the Ice Bucket Challenge and it was a fun way to help such a deserving cause,” Mike Code, director of student services at UTI Houston, said. “We’re hoping to get more people at the campus involved so we are eager to see the other departments accept our challenge.”
Along with soaking themselves in ice water, the department also challenged the entire UTI Houston staff to donate to ALSA. Collectively, the campus staff donated $445.
“UTI is proud to support the ALS Association,” Bill Odell, VP of Corporate Communications, says. “We always encourage our students and staff to get involved with charitable causes.”
Established in 1985, The ALS Association is the only national non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig’s disease on every front. The ALS Association leads the way in global research for new treatments, as well as aggressively working to find a cure for ALS. The ALS Association also provides assistance to those living with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters and certified clinical care centers, that provide help for patients and their families.
For more news about campus and student activities, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/utihouston and on Twitter at @UTITweet.
