The annual event challenges participants to raise money and take a dive into frigid water in support of Special Olympics Indiana.

Some ABC57 members even pledged to make a drastic change in their appearance if they met a monetary goal.

One of them, Newsroom Operations Manager Eric Bellinger, was set to take the plunge, but a death in the family kept him from joining the rest of the team.

Despite the tragedy, Bellinger promised to do what he hasn't done in over a decade - shave his beard.

On Thursday, he made good on his word, to the shock and delight of his co-workers and in honor of his sister.