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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.