The Greatest Showman #1092 - Great Success

In the summer of 2012, Renly Hall launched a charity event called the "Ice Bucket Challenge." Within a month, it spread across social networks, sweeping the globe. It created countless discussions, shattered records, and, simultaneously, sparked controversy.

Many media outlets and netizens criticized that the celebrity-driven hype overshadowed the charity's original purpose. They argued that participants were more focused on the attention they received from dumping ice water on themselves than on the cause—amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—itself. Some believed the event lost its true meaning in the process.

One clear example was when President Barack Obama opted to donate money instead of accepting the challenge. Critics erupted online, accusing him of not supporting the cause enough. However, the core issue remained: ALS, not the ice bucket.

Environmental activists also condemned the challenge, saying it wasted precious water resources. They argued that while the charity's intention was noble, a more sustainable approach should have been considered, especially when water scarcity is a critical issue in parts of Africa.

Some social culture commentators lamented that Renly, known for avoiding publicity stunts, had inadvertently contributed to the commercialization of charity through social media, thereby defeating the original purpose.

Additionally, some families affected by other terminal illnesses voiced their frustration. They questioned why ALS received so much attention while other rare diseases and marginalized conditions seemed to be ignored.

Despite the criticism, the Ice Bucket Challenge's success was undeniable. The controversy proved that the event had far surpassed its initial scope, evolving into a broader social movement that prompted reflection and discussion across various sectors of society. For its long-term impact, this shift was a positive development.

Most importantly, the charitable activity brought tangible results.

Statistics revealed that over 5.2 million people participated in the challenge across North America alone, with over 7.7 million making donations. This made the Ice Bucket Challenge the largest charitable event in U.S. history in terms of participation and mobilization.

Ultimately, the event raised an astounding $252 million from the challenge itself.

Beyond this, proceeds from two singles, "Say You Won't Give Up" and "Another Light," sales from "One Man's Concert" and a special edition of "Don Quixote," as well as Renly's personal donation of $10 million, pushed the total amount raised by the Heather-Cross Foundation to over $300 million in less than six months.

The figure of $300 million was extraordinary, even after a competitive summer box office season. It was a truly remarkable accomplishment for a charitable donation drive.

The Heather-Cross Foundation maintained transparency, publishing detailed donation records in a publicly accessible database. This allowed media scrutiny and ensured the integrity of the foundation, much like the transparency seen in major box office releases.

While this total was undoubtedly unprecedented, the Heather-Cross Foundation refrained from seeking official recognition from the Guinness Book of Records to avoid further hype.

Nonetheless, the success of the Ice Bucket Challenge remained beyond question.

The $300 million raised was a tremendous figure, making waves in the media and among the public. When Renly returned to New York from London, the media frenzy reached new heights. The impact of this charity event had extended far beyond the entertainment industry, transcending the realm of celebrity or philanthropy.

The Foundation's official statement clarified that donations from outside North America would be handled by local charitable organizations, as the Heather-Cross Foundation's current infrastructure couldn't manage them. This decision was made in collaboration with ALS-related groups across Europe, Asia, Oceania, and other regions to ensure that funds could reach those in need.

Given the massive scale of the donations, the Heather-Cross Foundation's actions were under close scrutiny. As the media frenzy around the Ice Bucket Challenge died down, the foundation held a press conference to express gratitude for the support and to explain how the funds would be allocated.

The first allocation would be $150 million for a special research fund to support ALS research, with hospitals and research institutes invited to apply for grants.

Another $50 million would go toward improving patient services, including the installation of equipment like wheelchair ramps and rehabilitation facilities in hospitals and residential areas.

An additional $50 million would be set aside for emergency funds to assist low-income families affected by ALS, ensuring they receive necessary support.

$48 million would go to public and vocational education, establishing programs and scholarships in universities and technical schools to promote research into incurable diseases.

The remaining $2 million would be used for the foundation's daily operations and expenses, including future fundraising activities.

At the end of the press conference, Robin Helzer, the fund manager, shared that Renly had requested not to be mentioned during the event to avoid distracting from the focus on ALS patients. Despite this, the foundation still expressed their gratitude for Renly's contributions.

"I spoke with Renly before the press conference," Robin said with a chuckle. "He insisted that we not mention his name today. But after talking it over with Derek and Ellie, we felt it was important to express our thanks as a foundation and as parents of ALS patients."

Robin wiped his nose, feeling a surge of emotion. "Renly has made it clear that the focus should always remain on the patients, not the ice bucket itself. So, we want to thank everyone who participated in the challenge. And, of course, we want to thank Renly Hall."

The room broke into applause, echoing the gratitude of the press and the public. Unlike the celebrity-driven noise, there remained a sense of sincerity from the social reporters, still mindful of the true purpose of the event—the fight against ALS.

Undoubtedly, the Ice Bucket Challenge became one of the defining moments of 2012 and the early 21st century. It remains a pivotal event, not only for the $300 million raised but for the social impact it had on raising awareness for ALS. More importantly, it demonstrated how public figures could leverage their social media influence to create meaningful change.

The Ice Bucket Challenge made a lasting impact—changing lives, raising awareness, and inspiring others to make a difference.

"What did you say?" Renly asked, slightly confused, before teasing, "Should we change your accountant?" He had previously joked with Andy about his accountant during a salary discussion.

Andy chuckled. "This accountant works for the foundation, not for me. But even if something's wrong, it's your foundation's responsibility," he joked, but quickly added, "Yes, $300 million, you heard that right. It's such a large amount that the New York authorities are getting involved. The foundation is now cooperating with investigations and working with officials to arrange the next steps."

Renly turned to Roy and Nathan, "You guys know about this?" Nathan's blank stare said it all—he hadn't expected the scale of the event's impact.

Renly paused, reflecting. Who could have predicted that the butterfly effect would lead to such a global wave?

"This is a good thing," Renly said, his thoughts settling. Though the responsibility was overwhelming, he took a deep breath, setting aside the Foundation's business for now. He'd done his part—now it was up to the professionals.

He turned back to the car window, lost in thought.