What do you think about non-profits’ use of promotional challenges such as the ALS Association’s “Ice Bucket Challenge”?

FROM our inbox

I applaud such a wonderful campaign for ALS. It has involved more people to challenge and donate to such a wonderful cause in a fun way. Low cost, easy to participate, and funding at any amount.

Most people who have donated to causes by mail, like my self, get several pleads for causes weekly. Soon you have to pick and choose whose turn it is, as it is impossible to donate to them all monthly, even though they are all very worthy causes.

This was a way to take 10 minutes to buy ice, get a container, post a video, and reach out to others in your family, friends, and business circle in a harmless fashion, and donations in a challenge form were received in a fun way.

Marlyne Miller

Cedar Rapids

FROM Facebook

l Mary P.: I would like to see more medical research. Why should we be paying for charity managers and administrators? Put all the money into medical college research - and maybe they will find cures sooner!

l Kathy W.: I think it's wonderful that they could raise that much money without calling me! More power to any organization that can come up with something clever for fundraising.

l Margaret C.: It is hype. I would bet that less than 5 percent of the funds raised actually go to research.

l Matt K.: This is such a joke. If these people care about finding a cure so much, let them donate some of their six-figure salary.

l Brett K.: Twenty-seven percent of profits go to research. The rest goes to corporate greed. Good job, America!

l Chuck and Amy W.: Most moneys donated to 'charities” goes to corporate overhead or 'fat cat” salaries.

l Kelley G.: But as a whole, this is another prime example how people and the private sector can work better than the government. People are giving when asked, and joining together to help each other.