Kevin Bacon Helps Give Kids The World Kick off Ice Cream Challenge #GKTWChallenge

Hi everyone!

Actor Kevin Bacon (Footloose) was on hand at Give Kids the World Village today to kick off the Ice Cream Challenge (#GKTWChallenge). Bacon and 7 year old Ethan (a guest of the Village) squared off to see who could eat the most ice cream in six seconds. The loser – Bacon – had to ante up $6.00 as a donation to Give Kids the World. Keep reading for more photos, video and to see how you can be part of the Ice Cream Challenge!

Mayor Clayton and Ms. Merry were in the Ice Cream Palace for the festivities.

Before the challenge, Friendly’s cups and six dollars sat on the table in front of Ethan. Friendly’s is a sponsor of Give Kids the World, serving up all the ice cream that guests can enjoy for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner – and in between meals, of course!

Kevin Bacon soon arrived, and was fitted with an apron.

This was a pretty ambitious amount of ice cream for six seconds!

Kevin Bacon and Ethan look at each other before the contest.

Ethan was happy to dig in without a spoon. Bacon went for a more traditional ice scream scooping method.

Ethan ate more ice cream than Bacon in the six seconds alloted. He certainly was wearing more as well!

Kevin Bacon is the founder of SixDegrees.org, which helps connect celebrities with causes to increase awareness.

Ethan seems to have enjoyed the challenge!

Here is our video of Kevin Bacon and Ethan in the Ice Cream Challenge.

The event today was to emphasize that everyone is six degrees or less from someone with a life threatening illness. Kids (and their families) at Give Kids the World are treated to cost-free fairytale vacations to this one-of-a-kind village.

Anyone can try the Ice Cream Challenge at home! It takes two bowls of ice cream, six seconds and a donation of six dollars (or more). Videotape it and post with a hashtag of #GKTWChallenge. Read more about that here.

We enjoyed this small Kevin Bacon sign.

Bacon posed with families at Give Kids the World before he left.

Ethan and his family enjoyed a little more time with Bacon.

More guests staying at Give Kids the World Village got in for a “family” photo.

The Ice Cream Palace is where it all started! This is one of the most popular places at Give Kids the World.

Be part of the Ice Cream Challenge! Give Kids the World also is a great place to volunteer, and a wonderful place to donate to. The needs are so great, and the Village keeps expanding. I’ve volunteered here many times and can’t say enough about the experience. But even if you can’t be there, you can eat six seconds of ice cream and make a small donation that will help in a very big way.