This may forever be remembered as the year community activism took over social media. True, we had many meme-worthy moments — Pharrell's hat even had its own Twitter handle. Still, an oversized Smokey the Bear chapeau was small potatoes compared to the phenomenon that was the Ice Bucket Challenge.
The social media campaign was created to raise awareness of ALS and also encouraged people to donate to the ALS Association. The challenge went out of control viral when celebrities started to share their videos. When the final donation tally came in, the numbers were nothing short of astounding.
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According to the ALS Association's website, the organization has received $115 million in donations since July 29, 2014. By comparison,the ALS Association raised just $2.8 million during the same period in 2013. It has already put the donations to use by expediting the search for treatments and a cure for ALS.
The Ice Bucket Challenge was also one of Tumblr's biggest stories of 2014, even earning its own category on the microblogging platform's annual year in review round-up. Below are just a few of the many, many posts that turned the ALS ice bucket challenge into the most successful social media movement of 2014.
Tumblr was thirsty for GIFs of celebrities participating in the challenge. Here are some female celebs getting dunked.
Some more GIFs, this time with male celebs.
Chris Evans made his video a classy affair.
Even Edvard Munch's "The Scream" got involved.
The Internet's boyfriend Benedict Cumberbatch got doused several times for the cause.
This teen's video was the new "David After Dentist."
Some more GIFs, this time with male celebs.
Chris Evans made his video a classy affair.
Even Edvard Munch's "The Scream" got involved.
The Internet's boyfriend Benedict Cumberbatch got doused several times for the cause.
This teen's video was the new "David After Dentist."
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