Betty White campaign raises hundreds of thousands for B.C. animal rescue groups
Penny Stone's email inbox is bursting at the seams.
“Another $100 for Betty White,” said the executive director of the Victoria Humane Society on Monday.
The society received donations ranging from $5 to $500 on Monday.
“I just donated $90,” said Maria Fedrigo, after she made her donation at the Victoria Humane Society.
“It’s for a good cause,” said Fedrigo. “Betty White, she was a trooper.”
The donations were coming in on what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday.
The #BettyWhiteChallenge on social media asked everyone to donate $5 to a local animal rescue organization, in the name of the award-winning actress and tireless animal advocate.
White died on New Year’s Eve after suffering a stroke a few days earlier.
“I think she’s an animal super hero,” said Stone.
“I donated $5,” said Wendy Yue, after she made her donation at the Victoria branch of the BC SPCA.
“The donations have been incredible so far,” said Larissa Johnston, assistant manager for the Victoria branch.
The money hasn’t yet been tallied yet locally, but provincially the BC SPCA has been keeping track of the numbers.
“The organization set a $30,000 goal and by about 11 a.m. on Monday they were already around $25,000,” said Johnston.
By 4 p.m., the number had climbed to $220,000.
“I’d say that we have had well over 50 donations that have come in this morning already,” said Joyce Lee, office administrator of the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington, B.C.
The centre helps ill, injured and orphaned wildlife of all types.
Lee believes White would have been happy to know her influence is helping wild animals as well.
“I’m sure that if she had a chance to come here, she would have loved it,” said Lee. “She would have loved all our black bears and our raptors that are here.”
Millions of dollars were expected to be raised by the campaign for animal rescue organizations across North America by the end of the day Monday.
Some of those agencies have a message for White if she's out there.
“Happy birthday Betty White and thank you for everything you’ve done for animals,” said Johnston.
“Thank you,” said Lee.
“I think she’s up there smiling, laughing, having a great time and thinking this is what she wanted,” said Stone. “She worked hard for animal charities.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.