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
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Federal government bans watercraft from Manitoba lake popular with tourists
The threat of zebra mussels has prompted the federal government to temporarily ban watercraft from a Manitoba lake popular with tourists.
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.