NORTHWEST ARKANSAS (KFSM) - A unique competition has law enforcement officials across Northwest Arkansas taking a cold plunge, all in the name of charity.
The Cold Water Challenge has gone viral nationwide. It's a spin-off of the polar bear plunge and has been taking off on social media.
"I think it has just picked up steam and everybody is doing it," said Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder.
"When you start to challenge type a personalities, which most officers are, they are going to take the challenge," said Benton County Sheriff Kelley Cradduck.
Sheriffs Cradduck and Helder are the latest to brave the cold to raise big bucks for charity.
"When it hits you, it shocks the system," Helder said.
"You don't remember much, because it's so cold you have the brain freeze," Cradduck said. "It's a lot of fun."
The rules are simple. If you are nominated, you have an option. You can complete the challenge and pay $10 to the charity selected by the person nominating you. Or, you can turn it down and donate $100 to the charity. If you go through with the challenge, you upload the video to Facebook and nominate five more people.
"I challenged the entire sheriff's office once I did it," Cradduck said.
"I'm going to be the guy that doesn't challenge anybody," Helder said. "However, my wife wants to challenge others. She challenged our civilian part of our organization."
Local law enforcement officials said what they are doing is good, clean fun. They added the ice cold water is just a small price to pay for a good cause.
"It brings us all to the same level and that is to help people and do it together," Helder said. "It's just kind of a camaraderie thing. It's a fun challenge. I think historically cops in general like to do things for the community."
"It's a lot of fun and helps people," Cradduck said. "It's a wonderful cause and honestly we should be doing more of these types of things, because it keeps things fresh."
Sheriff Cradduck is donating to the Wounded Warrior Project. Sheriff Helder is donating to "Shop with a Cop."