'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
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.