Who would have thought dumping a bucket of ice cold water over your head could:

a)      Become a viral Internet sensation

b)      Raise funds for an amazing charitable cause

The #IceBucketChallenge is sweeping the Internet and raising funds for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.  The creative fundraising concept requires participants to challenge others to choose between dumping a bucket of ice cold water over their head, or donating funds to ALS.  Thousands have accepted the challenge, including many high profile celebrities who have created quite the entertaining #IceBucketChallenge videos.

Late night star, Jimmy Fallon, the Roots, Rob Riggle, and Steve Higgins accepted the challenge and also decided to donate funds to the cause, doing double duty on their giving strategy.

Justin Timberlake, Mark Zuckerberg, and Lady Antebellum, among others have also taken part in the #IceBucketChallenge.

But, in what we think is one of the best videos to date, Ethel Kennedy challenged President Obama to complete the challenge after the 86 year old completed the challenge herself, with her entire family. How is that for a giving strategy?  The President, however, opted to donate to ALS research instead of completing the challenge.

Have a favourite #IceBucketChallenge video? Tweet them to us @canadahelps.

You can also participate in the challenge and donate to the ALS Society of Canada through CanadaHelps >>

Updated on October 31, 2024