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
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.