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
BREAKING Person engulfed in flames outside N.Y. courthouse where Trump trial underway, says CNN
A person was covered in flames outside the New York courthouse where former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial is underway, CNN reported on Friday.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.