The Ice Bucket Challenge originally began in mid-2014 as a viral campaign to promote awareness of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and encourage donations to research. Participants were filmed having a bucket of ice water poured over their heads before nominating others to do the same. While it started as a philanthropic movement that raised over $115 million for the ALS Association, it quickly became a staple of internet culture. In meme format, the template is typically used to illustrate a person being suddenly 'soaked' or overwhelmed by something unexpected, such as bills, responsibilities, or a harsh reality check. Its enduring popularity stems from the relatable and high-energy visual of a sudden, cold splash of reality.