It’s hot outside, but Austin ISD Interim Superintendent Paul Cruz knows how to cool off—while supporting a good cause.

This week, Dr. Cruz joined the ranks of civic leaders and celebrities across the country—from Bill Gates and the Kennedys to Lady Gaga, LeBron James and Oprah Winfrey—to join the ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge.”

The ALS Association’s challenge calls for people to film themselves being doused with buckets of ice water, post the video to social media and nominate others to do the same to raise awareness about ALS, also commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Mark Williams, former AISD board president, and Erin Cargile, education reporter and anchor for KXAN, nominated Dr. Cruz this weekend. In turn, he has nominated Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo; Mark Curry, community bank president at Wells Fargo; Austin Community College President Richard Rhodes; and AISD’s Class of 2015.

As of Aug. 18, the ALS Association reported it had received $15.6 million in donations compared to $1.8 million during the same time period last year.

Learn more about the challenge and join the conversation online.

Hashtags: #IceBucketChallenge #ALS #AISDProud