The Biggest Ice Bucket Challenge Yet

Picture this: you and 400 of your closest friends step up to the edge of a beach. But it’s not a balmy summer day. It’s sunny, yes, but only about 51 degrees.

The chilly weather doesn’t turn you away, however, it only makes you more excited. When the clock strikes 12:30 p.m., the crowd on the beach runs into freezing water.

This will be the scene at Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester tomorrow, Dec. 27, for the second annual Plunge for Pete event.

The plunge is essentially an Ice Bucket Challenge, and the biggest one yet. More than 200 teams, and 400 people, have already signed up for the event and some participants have raised more than $11,000 alone.

Beverly resident Pete Frates who was instrumental in the viral Ice Bucket Challenge this summer, started the plunge in 2012 to raise money and awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

ESPN will film the event live for SportsCenter.

Earlier this month, Frates was named one of Sports Illustrated’s Inspirational People of the Year for his part in making the Ice Bucket Challenge go viral.

Frates was the captain of Boston College’s baseball team during his college years. He was diagnosed with ALS in 2012 and has been fighting for a cure ever since.

In July, a buddy challenged Frates to complete the still unknown Ice Bucket Challenge. He passed the challenge along to friends and people in the sports community, including Bruin Gregory Campbell.

The difference with Frate’s challenge, however, was his request that friends use their videos to raise money and awareness for ALS. The Ice Bucket Challenge swept the nation and raised more than $100 million for the ALS Association.

With the tagline “Freezin for a Reason,” Plunge for Pete continues raising money for the association. More than $90,000 has been raised so far.

Also read:

Frates Honored During Jeter Retirement Festivities at Fenway

Ice Bucket Challenge Cools Off Boston Sports Stars

Man Who Started ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ Gets Doused in Fenway Outfield

image via shutterstock

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