Betty White’s legacy lives on as a challenge in her name exceeds expectations
They were donation numbers the Executive Director of the Sarnia and District Humane Society couldn't have imagined, leaving Donna Pyette overcome, “Just really, really emotional. Really, just so heartfelt."
Pyette says by the end of Monday, Betty White’s 100th birthday, more than $27,000 in donations were made in the name of the late actor and animal welfare advocate.
"You know we thought, 'yeah, you'll probably get a few people, a few of our volunteers, solid supporters and stuff.’ But not to the degree that we've seen yesterday, that's for sure."
Pyette says it's a testament of the love people had for White and their shared passion for animals.
Humane Society London and Middlesex Executive Director Steve Ryall agrees. His agency has received over $25,000 from donations made in White's name.
"In a month where our donations have generally dropped off, it's a tougher month for us, we're seeing those dollars. So that's going to allow us to keep doing the work that we do," said Ryall.
At the Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre near Strathroy, Ont., founder Brian Salt says he didn't anticipate getting Betty White Challenge donations and then the calls started pouring in.Laggar falcon at Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre on Jan. 18, 2022. (Gerry Dewan / CTV News)"I had no idea of the scope of it. We had literally hundreds of phone calls yesterday of people wanting to donate to Salthaven."
Salthaven rehabilitates a wide variety of rescued animals. Some are injured and some young and separated from parents, many needing specialized veterinary care and medications.
"We see about 1,500 patients a year. It's not a cheap proposition... we're looking at pretty close to a $100,000 a year to do what we do," said Salt.
The humane societies and Salthaven stress that they receive no government funding. They are strictly donor supported.
They say donations made in Betty White's name continue to flow in and they wouldn't be surprised if this campaign becomes an annual event.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.