Hundreds of people participated in the annual Ice Bucket Challenge and fundraiser at Empire City Casino in Yonkers over the weekend.

The event raised awareness for ALS, a progressive nervous system disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord and causes the loss of muscle control.

One of the event's founders, 37-year-old Pat Quinn, died in 2020 -- 7 years after he was diagnosed with ALS. The late Yonkers native's father said he will continue to raise awareness for ALS.

"His legacy, fighting every day for 7 and a half years, he knew he couldn't help finding a cure or a treatment, but he knew ALS awareness was the key in getting that," said Pat Quinn Sr.

State, local political and business leaders were also present for the "dumping of the ice" in what has become a fundraiser tradition worldwide.

News 12 was told that the money raised during Ice Bucket Challenge events help pay for patient services, medical treatment and research.