Parishioners take the plunge in ALS ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’
Amanda and Tino Salazar react after their dousing with icy water Sunday.
By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula
The ubiquitous “Ice Bucket Challenge” to benefit people with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) has gone viral, even in Horseshoe Bay.
Parishioners gathered after mass at St. Paul the Apostle Chapel Sunday, Aug. 31, to fundraise with their own ice bucket challenge -- all to help one of their fellow parishioners with the disease.
The bulk of the funds raised over the weekend will go directly to Eric Waltenbaugh, who was in the hospital Sunday and unable to attend the event, said event coordinator Claudia Haydon. Other funds will go to the ALS Association, she added.
Waltenbaugh is confined to a mechanical wheelchair because of the disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
“We expect donations to be substantial, especially for a small parish like ours,” she said. “The generosity of people who don’t know Eric but know about the disease has been amazing.”
She had the joy of dunking her husband, Craig, a Horseshoe Bay city councilman.
The Haydon’s have known Waltenbaugh for about four years, and several others with the condition as well.
“He’s the nicest guy you’ll ever meet, always helpful with advice,” he said.
For the full story and more photos, see Tuesday's Highlander.
