A giant group “ice bucket challenge” will be staged in Fountain Park Saturday, Aug. 23.

The event kicks off at 11 a.m. in the amphitheater area at the park’s north end.

“We will video it and share it with everyone,” said Jennifer Marcell, who is organizing and promoting the event.

“Anyone is welcome. It’s going to be fun!”

Marcell was inspired to organize the local group event after witnessing so many ice bucket challenges on Facebook and elsewhere.

The phenomenon has gone viral in recent weeks as major celebrities, business executives, politicians and athletes have jumped on board.

The idea is to dump a bucket of ice water over your head and then challenge others to do the same.

The second part of the challenge is to send a donation to the ALS Association, which coordinates research efforts and awareness for ALS, otherwise known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. It eventually leads to total paralysis.

The ALS Association reports as of Tuesday the group had collected nearly $23 million in recent weeks due to the ice bucket challenge.

“Let’s help fund a cure for this horrible disease,” Marcell said. “I’ve seen two people in my life succumb to it. It’s not pretty, there is no treatment, and I for one want to help fix that.”

Diana Fiandaca will be at the Saturday event with her husband, Tony, who was diagnosed with ALS in July 2013.

Tony, 69, was born and raised in Sicily, has lived in Arizona since 1973 and has been a Fountain Hills resident since 1985.

Diana has formed a team – Tony’s Team: Making it Happen! – that will participate in the Oct. 11 ALS Association’s Walk to Defeat ALS being held in Phoenix.

She will seek donations on Saturday on behalf of Tony’s team.

“He is 69 and up until last year he has hardly been sick one day in his life,” Diana said.

“But now he suffers from this horrible disease.

“However, the courage and strength he shows every day is beyond admirable. So that’s why I’m raising the funds for a cure to be donated to the ALS Association in Tony’s honor.”