Mercury Marine Employees Help Augie’s Quest

Employees at Mercury Marine have rallied together to raise money to support Augie’s Quest, a charity dedicated to raising money that will help fund research and drug development aimed at ending amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

The Mercury team gathered for an ice bucket challenge at Mercury’s global headquarters in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, in early September, where participants donated a generous contribution to Augie’s Quest. Augie’s Quest was developed by Life Fitness founder and former Brunswick Corporation executive Augie Nieto, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2005. Over the past decade, the cure-driven foundation has raised more than $41 million for ALS research.

The ice bucket challenge is a social media campaign designed to launch awareness of ALS and to raise funds for ongoing research. While interpretations vary, most individuals are encouraged to dump a bucket of ice cold water over their head or donate money to an ALS charity. Many participants choose to do both.

 “We had a great turnout and I am proud of the team here at Mercury Marine for taking the initiative to raise money for ALS and Augie’s Quest,” said Mercury Marine Director of U.S. Distribution, Transportation, Trade & Compliance Dean Witkowski. “This is about a good group of people doing a great thing. It’s the least we can do to support all the men and women – and their families – who have to live with ALS.”

To date, the ALS Association says the ice bucket challenge across the world has raised more than $100 million for ALS research.

 “I have the good fortune of being friends with Augie for 15 years,” said Mercury Marine President of Global Sales and Marketing Kevin Grodzki. “He is a great man and a strong and inspiring leader. He and his wife, Lynne, have been instrumental in putting a face on this deadly disease; we have found them to be a tremendous source of courage, commitment and inspiration to all of us in the business world.”  

So far, Augie’s Quest and ALS TDI (our lab) have received about $4 million from the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge,” said Nieto. “I’m taken aback by the 3+ million videos posted on social media. This will be a Harvard case study that changes the landscape for the use of social media in charitable giving.”

For more information about how Augie’s Quest is using the money raised and a special message from the foundation, visit http://www.als.net/Media/5465/News/