Real estate embraces ALS ‘ice bucket challenge’

Paul Hagey

10 years ago

Agents at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Michigan Properties took the "Ice Bucket Challenge."

Zillow CEO Spencer Rascoff has poured ice-cold water over his head and screamed. So has Trulia’s top exec, Pete Flint, and Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate’s CEO Sherry Chris.

They are among the flood of individuals participating in social media’s latest charity craze, the “ice bucket challenge,” where heads meet buckets of ice water to help raise money and awareness for the degenerative nerve disease ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

To complete the challenge, participants record a video of themselves or others dumping cold water over their heads, and challenge friends, family and acquaintances using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media platforms to do the same or donate $100 to The ALS Association (ALSA) within 24 hours.

Although it has its critics, the fad has raised millions of dollars for ALSA so far, according to the New York Times. The ALS-fundraising aspect of the fad is said to have started when Pete Frates, a 29-year-old with ALS, posted a video to Facebook on July 31 and challenged 11 friends and celebrities to dump a bucket of ice water on their heads within 24 hours.

In addition to raising money for ALS — many people who do the ice water dump also donate to ALS — the challenge has raised awareness of the disease thanks to its rapid, viral spread across social media.

Prominent participants include Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, NBA superstar LeBron James, “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon, and many others.

Here’s a roundup of a few videos from real estate personalities and groups who have participated so far:

Zillow CEO Spencer Rascoff:

Trulia CEO Pete Flint: