North Iowa Celebrity Ice Bucket Challenge Set for Oct. 4 at Central Park in Mason City to Benefit S.H.O.W.E.R.S. Project

MASON CITY, Iowa — Nearly 25 local leaders and community figures will take an icy plunge Sunday, Oct. 4, at Central Park in downtown Mason City to raise money for The S.H.O.W.E.R.S. Project, which aims to provide showers and laundry facilities for North Iowa’s homeless and displaced residents.

The North Iowa Celebrity Ice Bucket Challenge begins at 1:30 p.m., said Ozzie Ohl, project manager.

The campaign has a first-phase fundraising goal of $25,000 to help launch operations at a planned daytime resource center in the former Glacier Ice building behind the Community Kitchen building in Mason City. NutriQuest and Hoover’s Hatchery have provided a $10,000 challenge match, and organizers said matching funds are still available, meaning donations made now go twice as far toward the goal.

According to Ohl, the initial list of participants includes Colleen Frein of the Mason City Chamber of Commerce; Jen Arends of United Way of North Central Iowa; Gary Watnem; Joel Pedersen of North Iowa Area Community College; John Derryberry of 43North Iowa; Jacob Masters, executive director of Steven’s Children’s Theatre; Mike Eustes, owner of Magic Mike’s Detail; Robin McClelland, a Globe Gazette reporter; and Sharon Steckman, a retired educator and Iowa state representative.

Also scheduled to take part are Erick Nganyange of the North Iowa Youth Center; Tammy Hertzel, CEO of the YMCA; Mandy Pralle; Jared Blankenship, founder of Miles for Minds; the Very Rev. David H. O’Connor, V.F., pastor of the Mason City Pastorate; Alicia Schmidt, executive director of the Newman Catholic Foundation; and students from Newman Catholic High School.

Troy Levenhagen, known as LevyTheGreat; Cliff Cooke of Waldorf men’s hockey; and Matt Egger, NIACC women’s softball coach, also are on the list. Ohl said additional community leaders may join.

Vicky Graf, who is leading The S.H.O.W.E.R.S. Project, said the initiative addresses everyday needs of unhoused and displaced people by providing warm, safe showers for hygiene and well-being; on-site laundry services for clean clothing and basic health; and a safe daytime environment offering refuge, stability and a bridge toward long-term independence.

While the Oct. 4 event will be the main attraction, Ohl said public fundraising will continue through the end of October. Residents are encouraged to stage their own ice bucket challenges, post videos to social media and donate through the NorthIowaIceBucketChallenge Facebook page.

Those who prefer to skip the ice bucket can donate online through the PayPal link on the North Iowa Ice Bucket Challenge Facebook page. Checks can be mailed to The S.H.O.W.E.R.S. Project, P.O. Box 177, Mason City, IA 50402-0177.

Updates on the event are available on the NorthIowaIceBucketChallenge Facebook page.