‘Betty White Challenge’ Sparks Donations To Animal Shelters In Her Honor
Apart from her iconic roles in Golden Girls and Mary Tyler Moore Show, the late Betty White remains celebrated for something else: her love for animals.
After her death on New Year’s Eve, there have been numerous animal organizations sharing their touching stories of White’s contributions, which had been mostly unknown until now.
One example noted by HuffPost is the Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, an organization that had been receiving checks in the “tens of thousands of dollars” for years signed by a “Betty White-Ludden.”
“A lot of people said it could be any ‘Betty White’, but the checks came from her house under her name and then started coming from her management company,” executive director Mark Meyers told the San Angelo Standard-Times, saying that it was the “real-deal Betty White.”
A foal born at the rescue group on Christmas had been without a name until White’s passing was announced. Naturally, the foal was named Betty White-Ludden—”or Betty for short.”
On January 17, what would’ve been the television icon’s 100th birthday, the ‘Betty White Challenge’ is scheduled to take place: an online event on social media encouraging people to donate US$5 to an animal rescue or charity in White’s name.
Even before the date, donations had begun. Susan Taylor, executive director of Actors and Others for Animals, a nonprofit that offers financial assistance to pet owners, tells MarketWatch of the organization’s experience.
“Almost immediately following the press regarding her passing we started receiving donations,” Taylor said.
According to her, more than 105 separate donations were made in White’s name, totaling more than US$5000. This all transpired just 4 days after the news of her death.
Some animal-related organizations and rescue groups that can be donated to in honor of White and her legacy include the Harbor Humane Society, New Hope Pet Rescue, and the Few Steps From Home Animal Rescue.
[via HuffPost and Good Good Good, image via ID 35528382 © Featureflash | Dreamstime.com]
