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22 Pushups "Offensive" to Military Members

Leo | leopacheco.com
Sep 15, 2016
2 min read

Everyone seems to be jumping on the bandwagon of awareness campaigns from the ALS Bucket Challenge to the 22 Pushups Campaign to raise awareness for military members committing suicide on a daily basis.

While everyone means well, the fact is the majority of people spreading the word and promoting the 22-Pushup Campaign are doing little to actually help those who are on the verge of suicide. Some celebrities have even joined the cause but fail to actually give to organizations who deal with this issue directly.

Raising awareness is only effective, if, in fact, it inspires action of some kind. Simply doing 22 pushups and talking about it on social media is virtually useless, and frankly, offensive to military members and their families because it doesn't affect real support or change.

It's kind of like raising awareness about homelessness of starving children but not providing them food or shelter. Everyone can talk about it, but it means very little until you actually sacrifice time, talent, and treasure to support the cause you are promoting!

I would challenge each person who is involved in these types of campaigns to put their money where their mouth is by actually giving to a worthwhile cause doing the work you are promoting.

Many will argue that although less than a third of those promoting the ALS Ice Bucket challenge actually made a contribution to the ALS Association, it created conversation and prompted others to give, raising well over $115M to the cause over an 8-week period.

Albeit true, imagine how much more they would have raised had even the majority of those promoting the challenge gave even $1 or $5 or $10 to the cause!

Spreading the word is always a good thing when it comes to raising awareness, and I encourage you to do so. But, keep in mind the real difference is made when each one contributes in some fashion.

After all, just talking about it doesn't solve the problem.

Here is an organization we support through my company, positively impacting military families and helping end suicide among veterans: