It’s a local celebration of the amazing life and contributions of Betty White.
Friday is Betty White Day, and the 4th annual Betty White Challenge, a grassroots fundraiser in honour of the late actress.
White, a known animal lover, passed away on New Year’s Eve 2021, just a few weeks before her 100th birthday.
Kelly Wallace of the local conservation group Think Turtle Initiative says that animal lovers and fans of Betty White found their own way to celebrate her birthday that year.
“The thing about Betty White is that, you know, besides being an actress and comedian that we all loved, she was also an extreme animal activist. She was just brilliant through her whole life. So what happened is fans, to celebrate her and all of her advocacy work, on Jan. 17, 2022, they started up this Betty White Challenge.”
Wallace says that the premise of the challenge is to encourage people to donate $5 to a local animal rescue, shelter or conservation group of their choice.
“And a nice thing about it is that its a small amount. I mean, if somebody wants to donate more, obviously that’s entirely up to them. But you know, especially after Christmas and all that, it’s not a big ask. But the thing is collectively, it can really add up.”
Christine Walker from local dog and cat rescue Home Again says the Betty White Challenge has taken place every year since White’s passing and that it feels like more than just a fundraiser.
“It gives everybody who are animal lovers a chance to get in on the spirit of it, and it really does have a momentum of its own.”
Those who would like to take part in the Betty White Challenge locally can donate to Home Again on their website, by dropping off donations in person at Pet Valu in Bancroft or by mailing a check to Home again.
Donations could also be made to Think Turtle Initiative which works tirelessly on behalf of our local turtle population, or the Turtle hospital and Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre. Where many sick and injured turtles from our area go to be helped.
