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The ice bucket challenge comes to NewsChannel 3

Posted at 7:30 PM, Aug 18, 2014
and last updated 2014-08-19 19:01:12-04

Valerie Oyer made sure NewsChannel 3 morning anchor Jessica Larche’s ice bucket challenge is one worthy of a good chuckle from her husband Mike.

"It is definitely his kind of thing," said Valerie Oyer.  "He`s looking down laughing, smiling.  He`s laughing at you right now."

NewsChannel 3 followed the former Navy SEAL's brave battle against ALS for years until his death two years ago.

Researchers haven’t been able to find a cause for ALS, or Lou Gherig’s Disease, which is why the spike in funding the ALS Association has seen from the ice bucket challenge is so important.

The social media phenomenon started in July, and involves people posting videos of themselves getting dunked in ice water while pledging to donate to a cause and challenging others to do the same.

"It`s a horrific disease," said Valerie of ALS.  "Whatever this brings to light for the association is just amazing."

Larche accepted the ice bucket challenge to honor Mike's memory, and NewsChannel 3 has also pledged $500 in donations to the ALS Association.

"It`s been great to see people remembering him and honoring him," said Valerie.  "He`s eating it up."

According to the ALS Association website, they've received close to $23 million in donations since the ice bucket challenge took off last month.  The site said they received about $2 million during the same time period last year.

You don't have to do the ice bucket challenge to donate.

Watch Jessica take action Tuesday at 6 on NewsChannel 3.