The Sippican Healthcare Center staffers aren’t ones to shirk a challenge, and on Thursday afternoon they joined the thousands of people who have already dumped ice cold water on their heads for a good cause.

The goal of the challenge that has gone viral on Twitter and Facebook is to raise awareness and funds for ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gherig’s disease. The progressive disease affects nerve cells resulting in muscle weakness.

The challenges began with Pete Frates, who wanted a way to raise awareness and funds for the disease he was diagnosed with in 2012. His challenge has certainly caught on with millions donated.

Once challenged, the options are simple: dump ice water on your head and challenge someone else or give $100 to an ALS charity.

Sippican Healthcare nurse Sandy Decosta challenged her co-workers, and less than 24 hours later they were filling up buckets with ice and water.

After accepting the dare from someone else, Decosta said, “It needed to get a little bit bigger and better.”

That was no problem for the team of 180 workers at Sippican. More than 60 came, both on and off duty (some folks, of course, had to man the floor.)

“It’s a good exercise. It should be plenty cold,” said Administrator Gregory Messina.

The staff also put out a bucket (not filled with ice) for anyone who wanted to donate to the cause. By Thursday afternoon, almost $800 had been collected.

“You guys should be patting yourselves on the back. You’re terrific,” said Director of Nursing Betsy Botelho.

The staff stood in a circle with ice buckets in hand while Botelho counted down. Then they poured water on the person standing in front of them.

“It was refreshing,” said one person.

Randy Frazier described it as “cold…and wet…and fun.”

“It’s great that we raised money for ALS, but for a group of workers to get together for a cause says a lot about each other,” he said.

A large group of residents came out to watch the dousing. Many follow current events and knew about the ALS challenge before the Sippican staff decided to participate.

“They love to see the staff involvement,” said Activities Director Anne O’Connell-Bishop. “They’re really proud of the team for getting involved.”

“I was looking forward to it all day,” said Charles Collins.

Resident June Costa said she was proud of the staff.

“I give them all the credit. The staff here goes over and above. No matter what it is, they all pitch in,” said Costa, who got a front row seat with her husband John.

She said their grandchildren also took the chilly challenge, and she appreciates how the cause has spread.

“I think it’s wonderful,” Costa said.

And of course, the Sippican staff issued a challenge. Their partner, Nemasket Healthcare Center in Middleboro, had 24 hours to fill their ice buckets.

Many others in the tri-town have also taken on the ALS challenge.

Corey Knudsen of Rochester said he didn’t fully grasp the meaning of the challenge when he made his video in which he dumped a bucket of ice water on his head, then a larger bucket of water and finally jumped into a swimming pool.

“Originally I did it because I was nominated, and I could make a fun video,” he said. “I didn’t know a whole lot about [ALS] beforehand.”

After making his video and a donation to ALS, Knudsen caught a “Sports Center” piece on Frates.

“When I saw that it put it into perspective,” he said.