'Betty White Challenge' brings in thousands in donations to Manitoba animal welfare groups
Multiple animal welfare and rescue groups in Manitoba saw a huge spike in donations, with thousands of dollars donated thanks to a viral challenge honouring Betty White.
The 'Betty White Challenge' has gone viral across North America, encouraging people to donate $5 to local animal welfare groups on Monday—what would have been Betty White's 100th birthday.
The Golden Girl was well known for her animal activism. White died on Dec. 31, 2021.
The Winnipeg Humane Society said it raised $41,000 through the challenge. CEO Jessica Miller told CTV News on Monday the money will go to supporting the Winnipeg Humane Society facility and the animals that come through the shelter or through its foster and urgent care programs.
"I don't even know what to say. This is just such an incredible gift that you've given to honour Betty," Miller said in a video posted on Twitter Tuesday.
"This was an amazing way to start off 2022."
Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue saw more than $17,500 raised through the challenge in White's honour.
Megan Peters, the public relations assistant for the Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue, told CTV News on Monday the response to the challenge had been overwhelming.
"The more donations we can bring in so that we don't have additional costs for vet bills, the more animals we can actually bring into our care and get them out of the cold especially during this time," Peters said.
Tails for Freedom Rescue said more than $4,800 was raised for the rescue.
"We are absolutely blown away by the generosity of everyone who donated to our rescue for the #bettywhitechallenge in honour of the lovely Betty White on what would have been her 100th birthday," the rescue said in a post on Facebook Tuesday.
"It has been amazing to see everyone come together and show their love and support to honour this lovely lady. We feel so lucky to have been part of such a wonderful movement."
The Manitoba Underdogs Rescue said it raised just over $18,000 from the challenge.
Lindsay Gillanders, a volunteer with the Manitoba Underdogs Rescue, said the need for donations is huge.
"As the temperatures continue to plummet, we see more and more dogs that are injured or in need as a direct result of those cold temperatures," she told CTV News on Monday. "Our vet bills only increase so we are in desperate need of help right now and any little bit will make a big impact.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
Honda is set to build an electric vehicle battery plant next to its Alliston, Ont., assembly plant, which it is retooling to produce fully electric vehicles, all part of a $15-billion project that is expected to include up to $5 billion in public money.
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
Residents of northern Alberta First Nation told to shelter in place
Residents of John D'Or Prairie, a community on the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta, were told to take shelter Thursday morning during a police operation.
Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
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.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'