On Monday, Jan. 20, Abington’s Green Wave hockey team answered the call from the Rockland Dogs hockey team. The teams put their rivalry aside to participate in the well-known ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge.”

After beating Sacred Heart 6-1 that morning, the Abington hockey team completed the challenge right outside of the Rockland Ice Rink. Although it was very cold, the team knew it was for a heartwarming cause.

The “Ice Bucket Challenge” was originated in 2014 by Pete Frates and Pat Quinn. Frates, who had ALS, passed away on December 9, 2019.

This Challenge has had “about 17 million uploaded videos” of people doing the Ice Bucket Challenge and it has “raised over $200 million worldwide,” according to the ALS Association’s website.

The Green Wave hockey senior captains Joe McCarthy and Colin McDonald decided to change it up and challenged Abington High School to donate money instead of nominating other teams. McDonald said, “We chose to nominate the school and challenge them because we understand how important it is for organizations in search of a cure to get the proper funding needed, and we just wanted to help in anyway we could.”

For those looking to donate, you can visit the ALS wesite here: www.alsa.org/donate/ or complete the challenge yourself to raise awareness.

[The writer of this story is a member of the Abington Boys’ Hockey team who took part in the challenge]