As you may know, the Ice Bucket Challenge is a movement to raise money and awareness for the cureless paralyzing and deadly disease, ALS. The challenge dares nominated participants to be filmed having a bucket of ice water poured on their heads and then nominating others to do the same. The Ice Bucket Challenge went viral on social media and according to the ALS Association, more than $113.6 million has been raised since the ice bucket challenge began this summer.

 HOC was challenged by an agency employee to participate in the Ice Bucket Challenge and I, along with my executive team, accepted. Together, we were doused by ice and cold water in support of ALS and the families affected by the deadly disease.

We were ready and willing to take the Ice Bucket Challenge along with the rest of the country for two reasons. The first was to support the ALS Association. We also participated in the challenge to raise awareness on the homeless crisis affecting our Nation. Participating in the Ice Bucket Challenge enabled us to briefly experience what homeless people feel in the midst of dead-winter.

From the moment we felt the first drop of sub-zero water touch our skin until we were dry, we knew what it felt like to live and sleep not only in the cold but in the rain and snow. Fortunately for us, we were able to change into dry clean clothes, drive home and have dinner. The homeless population is not as fortunate since they cannot easily escape the dangers associated with living on the street: frostbite, hypothermia, depression and loneliness.

HOC collected donations from agency employees during the Ice Bucket Challenge event. The proceeds raised were split evenly between the ALS Association and the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless because no one should be without a home.

To learn more about ALS and ways you can help fight the disease, visit the ALS Association’s website . For more information on the movement to end homelessness, visit the National Coalition for the Homeless website.

Be sure to watch the entire video clip to learn who Stacy will challenge next!