Betty White social media challenge impacts Simcoe Muskoka animal shelters
A global challenge to raise funds for animals on Betty White's 100th birthday is far-reaching, having significant impacts in Simcoe Muskoka.
The 'Betty White Challenge' first started gaining traction after the beloved actress, and well-known animal lover passed away on Dec. 31, just three weeks before her 100th birthday.
The challenge is pushing people across the world to make a financial contribution to their local animal shelter.
"This is historic. We have never had this type of response to a challenge," said Sonya Reichel, Georgian Triangle Humane Society executive director.
"It was about 9 o'clock this morning that we started to get a little bit of a red flag from our administrative department as they were trying to process the amount of donations that were coming in."
By 11 a.m., the Collingwood-based organization had received more than 200 donations, enough to briefly crash its website.
"If we're receiving that type of reaction here in little Collingwood, I can only imagine what the rest of the world is experiencing," Reichel said. "So it's going to be truly staggering to find out what the combined impact is going to be from this challenge, and it's truly such a tribute to Betty White and all that she believed in."
The Ontario SCPA is also benefiting from the challenge, which is critical since it doesn't receive any government funding.
By 1 p.m. on Monday, it had more than $26,000 in donations.
"Today, we are seeing donations coming in by the minute," said Kallie Milleman, Ontario SPCA. "It's been incredibly surprising, incredibly humbling, and we're so excited to see all of these incredible donations because we know that we're going to be able to help more animals across Ontario because of all of this incredibly generous support."
The OSPCA will also be receiving donations from a fundraiser being held all week long by the Lockeroom.
The Barrie restaurant's owner Dana Parris is holding a 'Truck Load' fundraiser, selling restaurant-quality food in bulk, with $5 from each sale going directly towards the Barrie animal center.
"It's funny how it just quickly has grown so much. Everybody had a love for Betty White, everybody did," Parris said. "We all know about her love of animals, and just what better way to pay tribute to her than to just help out such a good cause, and we're so excited to be on board with it."
The Lockeroom fundraiser will run until next Monday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Most horrific': Alberta First Nation investigating after remains of children found
Saddle Lake Cree Nation in eastern Alberta is 'actively researching and investigating' the deaths of at least 200 residential school children who never came home, as remains are being found in unmarked grave sites.

Prince Charles offers remarks about reconciliation as Canadian tour begins
Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, have arrived in St. John's, N.L., to begin a three-day Canadian tour that includes stops in Ottawa and the Northwest Territories.
Alberta premier urges U.S. senators to convince Michigan to stop Line 5 shutdown
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is urging the U.S. government to convince Michigan to abandon its legal campaign against the Line 5 pipeline.
Former Pentagon officials briefed Canadian MPs on UFOs, MP and researcher say
Former Pentagon officials have briefed at least three Canadian members of Parliament about unidentified flying objects, according to a Manitoba MP and a Texas-based researcher.
Poilievre personally holds investment in Bitcoin as he promotes crypto to Canadians
Conservative Party leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre has a personal financial interest in cryptocurrencies that he has promoted during his campaign as a hedge against inflation.
First transgender federal party leader calls for national anti-trans hate strategy
The Green Party of Canada is calling on the federal government to develop a targeted anti-transgender hate strategy, citing a 'rising tide of hate' both in Canada and abroad. Amita Kuttner, who is Canada's first transgender federal party leader, made the call during a press conference on Parliament Hill on Tuesday.
Airport delays: Transport minister says feds not asking airlines to cut back flights
Canada's transport minister is dismissing claims that the federal government asked airlines to reduce their schedules and cancel flights to ease recent travel delays.
Regular travel and public health measures can't coexist: Canadian Airport Council
International arrivals at Canadian airports are so backed up, people are being kept on planes for over an hour after they land because there isn't physically enough space to hold the lineups of travellers, says the Canadian Airports Council.
Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner carjacked at gunpoint outside Toronto movie theatre
A day after Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner was robbed of his Range Rover at gunpoint outside an Etobicoke movie theatre, Toronto police said they have already seen more carjackings so far this year than they did in all of 2021.