Members of the Kennedy family gathered this weekend at their Hyannis Port compound, where they did what seemingly everyone has been doing all week: poured buckets of ice water over their heads in an effort to raise money for ALS. Even 86-year-old Ethel Kennedy, widow of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, got in on the #IceBucketChallenge action.

Just before dumping the freezing bucket of water over her head, Ethel took the opportunity to challenge President Barack Obama – who is vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard this week – to show his support for the disease.

“Welcome to Cape Cod, President Obama. I nominate you,’’ she said.


The video was posted on the Facebook page of Max Kennedy, Robert and Ethel Kennedy’s ninth child.

“A good campaign starts at the grassroots and makes its way to the very top. Our family is proud to join the wave of advocates championing increased awareness and funding for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),’’ Ethel Kennedy told Boston.com.