Northwestern Lehigh School District Superintendent Dr. Mary Anne Wright has been challenged to participate in a new fundraiser that has been sweeping the country – the Cold Water Challenge.

Her niece and NWL senior, Mallory Brinley, and track coach and teacher, David Kerschner, has dared the superintendent to jump into cold water, a challenge being used across the nation as a way to raise money for various charities.

Nationwide, Cold Water Challenges have take place in New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and even Shenandoah, Schuylkill County.

When members of the NWL School Board heard about the challenge, they decided the entire Northwestern community could participate in the fundraiser that is important to many residents.

Wright has accepted the challenge by creating a fundraiser of her own to benefit Brett Snyder, a Northwestern Lehigh graduate, to assist with medical expenses in his courageous battle against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Dr. Wright has challenged the school board, students, staff and community to collectively donate $1,000 toward the Snyder Family Medical Assistance Fund.

The board is planning to "Soak the Superintendent" 6 p.m. May 21, in the administration office parking lot, before the regularly scheduled board meeting.

Wright, who created a video accepting the dare, is challenging the community to participate in the fundraiser.

Her video is posted at nwlehighsd.org, Facebook at facebook.com/NWLSD and Twitter at twitter.com /nwlehighsd.

Donations may be made online or by attending the event.