Over $27,000 has been raised for the Sarnia & District Humane Society as part of a viral challenge on what would have been Betty White's 100th birthday.
The beloved actress and animal advocate died on December 31, 2021.
A viral challenge was launched shortly after her death, asking fans to donate to animal shelters, rescue operations, or animal welfare organizations in White's honour on January 17.
Through the challenge, the local humane society raised $27,060. Executive Director Donna Payette said it was an emotional 24 hours as the organization watched donations come in.
"We are just completely overwhelmed. We were big Betty White lovers as well, not just for her acting abilities but also for her compassion and care that she gave to all animals over so many years," said Payette. "To see her honoured in such a way has been unbelievable. It just takes our breath away."
Payette said the amount raised was a little shocking but the love for the late Golden Girl was not.
"She was so loved by everybody and she meant so much to so many animal organizations and people knew that about her -- that part didn't shock me," she said. "The support from our community has always been there. I think it's just the fact of that much money [being raised] in 24 hours, it was staggering."
Donation to the Sarnia & District Humane Society from the Sarnia Professional Fire Fighters Association. (Photo courttesy of the humane society via Facebook)
Although a couple of donations in support of the Betty White challenge were collected ahead of January 17, Payette said about 98 or 99 per cent of funds were collected on Monday.
"We were just completely overwhelmed by the generosity of the community and by honouring this magnificent woman."
Payette said the proceeds raised will go towards the animals, especially medical expenses. As an example of the work the humane society does, the organization shared a picture of a local pup, also named Betty White, to its Facebook page on Tuesday.
"The dog came into our care a few months back [and] came in in pretty horrific shape. She was just adopted [by her foster family] a couple of weeks ago, actually just before Betty White passed away," said Payette. "[The donations] are for things like that. It's for the animals, it's what Betty White would have wanted and that's what we're committed to."
The Betty White challenge also brought in $3,315 for Caregivers of Petrolia Ferals and $3,200 to Heaven's Wildlife Rescue in Oil Springs.
A local grass-roots group in Sarnia, Cat Chance, also thanked supporters who took part in the viral challenge. "What a wonderful way to honour such an amazing woman and also to help us save cats and kittens," read a Facebook post from Cat Chance.
