#bettywhitechallenge sparks Conn. animal shelters to join movement
Shelters around Connecticut joined the fundraising social media movement #bettywhitechallenge in honor of late actress Betty White on Jan. 17 — which would have been her 100th birthday.
White, who died on Dec. 31, was most known for her role on “Golden Girls,” but also for her support of organizations such as the American Humane Association and the Fund for Animals, according to The New York Times.
The challenged originated after a Twitter user named Lisa Powell said people should donate to a local shelter on White’s honor, according to CBS News. Soon after, the hashtag began trending on Twitter and local shelters started to open fundraising campaigns.
Danbury Animal Welfare Society (DAWS) received more than $20,000 in donations thanks to the challenge.
“We didn’t have any expectation we just wanted to be part of something on a national level and paid tribute to such a wonderful woman who was an animal advocate,” said Aline Meenan, Director of Development and Marketing at DAWS.
More than 500 people donated to DAWS via online and mail donations, according to Meenan.
Other animal shelters such as the Connecticut Humane Society and the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter have also raised thousands of dollars in donations. Dan Crosgrove Animal Shelter has received more than $8,000 in donations, which surpassed its $5,000 goal, according to its donation website. Protectors of Animals, based in East Hartford, raised more than $16,000 on its campaign, also surpassing the original goal. The movement was also celebrated in Canada, according to CBC News.
While challenge has ended, DAWS is offering state residents a $100 discount on pet adoptions until Jan. 31 in honor of White.
“We are humbled and blown away by the generosity bestowed to DAWS,” said Meenan.