If you turned on ESPN this past August, you might’ve seen a wide exterior shot of Marblehead. That’s because it’s been 10 years since Pete Frates changed the trajectory of ALS research with the infamous Ice Bucket Challenge.
The documentary cut to a third grade classroom inside of Glover School. There, Marblehead students were talking about Frates, who grew up in Beverly, attended St. John’s Prep, played baseball at Boston College, and both met and married his wife, Julie, in Marblehead. Pete died in 2019.
In August of 2014, Frates launched one of the most successful fundraisers of all time, inspiring more than 17 million people around the world to dump ice water on their heads and donate to an ASL organization. The challenge not only raised awareness of the disease, but it generated more than $115 million to support the ALS Association nationally. The total number was closer to $220 million worldwide.
Julie said it means the world to her that the next generation is seeing “what those silly Ice Bucket Challenges were all about.”
Julie, left, and Lucy Frates embrace at the Eastern Yacht Club in Marblehead.
“Now, we’re going to pass this torch to you,” she said. “To see our daughter (Lucy) and all of these younger kids doing it – those who didn’t experience the original Ice Bucket Challenge – it’s really great to see. It’s invigorating for us to have more people involved.”
Julie was born and raised in town and attended Marblehead High School. Now, she remains local with Lucy, who turned 10 years old this past summer.
“She came at the end of the challenge 10 years ago,” Julie said. “It’s a lot. She’s lived a much more mature life than most 10-year-olds. She has seen a lot and is very in-tune, but certainly has a lot of excitement to participate in an Ice Bucket Challenge whenever there’s one around.”
When asked what she hopes Lucy takes from Pete’s legacy, Julie pointed to a sense of community.
“That’s the best part of humanity, that sense of community and giving back,” Julie said. “I hope she appreciates that. There are always people out there who could use help.”
It’s her hope, not just for Lucy, but for an entire generation. Julie added that Boston College, St. John’s Prep and other institutions have been “very receptive.”
“It’s so cool to see,” she said. “They really want to help. Personally, it’s so heartwarming. And for the cause, it’s heartwarming to see that these efforts aren’t going to die.”
Ed Hardiman, Head of School at St. John’s Prep, would love nothing more than for his students to learn from Pete and his dedication to “servant leadership.”
“With all of the things people say about Pete, he’d probably be very upset at it,” Hardiman said. “One of the things we stress a lot with our students is that Pete was a very normal high school kid. He did some good things. That means he got into trouble every once in a while, and that means he was a goofball every once in a while. I think what Pete has done really shows what it means to be a servant leader.”
Julie added the documentary was “very emotional,” and credited ESPN for its coverage on Pete throughout the years. On top of that, Fenway Park hosted a celebration featuring a special Ice Bucket Challenge to honor the
10-year mark.
“To be where Pete did it, especially, it was really cool to be back there,” Julie said. “It just gives you a moment to reflect. It means the world to us that people are still thinking about ALS and donating to the cause, recognizing the efforts that Pete and all ALS patients have put in. For the movement to still be alive is so important.”
To make a donation, visit https://donate.als.org.
