Betty White's 100th birthday brings out the generosity of British Columbians
Thousands of dollars (and counting) poured into B.C. animal shelters and rescue facilities Monday, on what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday.
A fervent advocate for animals, the Hollywood icon would have undoubtedly been overjoyed by the internet movement known as the #BettyWhiteChallenge, which encouraged fans to donate whatever they can to local shelters.
By 6 p.m. Monday, the BC SPCA had already received $263,000 in donations in White’s name.
“It’s incredible what one human being can do to better the lives of animals,” said Eileen Drever, the society’s senior protection officer. “We are overjoyed, but we are also so sad that she’s not here to see this.”
Organizations like PADS, the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society, believe White’s legacy will encourage her fans to learn about other groups too.
“Betty was a big advocate for animal rights,” said PADS marketing and media coordinator Meredith Areskoug. “A lot of people are hoping that folks are going to start donating to all the different charities that work with animals.”
Already the generosity is being seen all over North America, and just how much was donated in her name on Monday, may be impossible to count.
But the tremendous outpouring of support for animals in need is certainly keeping White’s memory alive.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Trudeau's latest pre-budget pledge targets millennial moms, vowing $1B in loans for more child-care spaces
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
How do you navigate the social media minefield with your kids?
Growing fears about social media's harm have sparked lawsuits against social media companies from hundreds of school districts in the United States and now Canada. CTVNews.ca wants to know whether your children are addicted to social media or if you have concerns about their usage of platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and X.
BREAKING Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.