Two Liverpool school administrators braved the chilly weather for a good cause at Nate Perry Elementary School’s annual back-to-school picnic Sept. 11. NPE Principal Dana Ziegler and Liverpool Superintendent Mark Potter accepted the “Ice Bucket Challenge” to support the ALS Association and the NPE food pantry.
“It’s a really public way for them to show their support,” said Pam Moquin, a kindergarten teacher who is co-vice president of the PTO.
Ziegler said Casey and Chuck Blincoe, the parents of two NPE students, challenged her to donate and have a bucket of ice water dumped on her head. In turn, she invited Potter to do the same.
The Ice Bucket Challenge gained popularity across the United States this past summer, raising more than $111 million for research and support for those affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to muscle atrophy, weakness and paralysis.
“Following the excitement throughout the summer, I think it’s important to raise money for this disease,” Potter said.
He also knew the kids would get a kick out of it.
“Kids love seeing adults — especially administrators — getting down to the level of kids, literally and figuratively,” Potter added.
Upon accepting the challenge, Ziegler and Potter decided to make their icy plunge for a local cause as well. They, along with the Blincoes, will donate not only to the ALS Association but also to the NPE food pantry, which supplies food for the PTO’s backpack program. Families in need of extra food can contact the school confidentially to request a backpack. The backpack program has been in place for three years.
“Each Friday, we load backpacks on buses anonymously and kids take them,” Ziegler said. “It’s really neat. It’s been a great avenue to serve families in a different light.”
The backpack program serves about 10 families at NPE, according to Moquin.
While Potter changed into a T-shirt and shorts for the icy deluge, Ziegler opted to take the challenge in her green peplum dress and black wedges. Students crowded around and cheered as Ziegler and Potter took turns dousing themselves in ice water.
“Ms. Ziegler’s a trooper,” said Jen Tracy, a substitute teacher whose son, Johnny, is a third-grader at Nate Perry. “She’ll do anything for the school.”
Keira Wise, a new NPE student, enjoyed “the look on her face — she was freezing!” Keira’s father, Jeff Wise, said seeing the administrators take the challenge made him more likely to donate to the ALS Association and the NPE food pantry.
“It’s a fun form of fundraising that both makes people aware and makes people a part of it,” Wise said.
