Betty White fans hatch plan to celebrate her 100th birthday by giving back to animals
In loving animals, she’s just unstoppable.
Before we moved into 2022, tragic news spread across the internet. The iconic television personality Betty White died just on the eve of the new year.
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But even so, she left a legacy of kindness, joy, and generosity. And as fans celebrated her life and work, they put to the spotlight a side of White that people always cherished – her love for animals.
A challenge worth taking on
After her passing, the #BettyWhiteChallenge started picking up on social media.
After Ryan Reynolds, White’s former costar, tweeted about White’s passing, a Twitter user replied with a suggestion.
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“Let’s all donate something to your local animal shelter on Betty’s birthday on January 17th in her honor! It’s the least we can do to still celebrate & honor Betty’s love of animals!! #RIPBetty #BettyWhite #ripbettywhite #BettyWhiteChallenge #BettyWhiteDay.” The reply to the tweet said.
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With the fans’ eyes on the news, the challenge quickly caught wind. Soon, people were tweeting about it, together with their suggested charities.
It’s no secret that Betty White loves animals.
Even at a young age, she already has compassion towards animals. It was something that her parents imbued in her early on.
At one point in her life, she even wanted to become a Forest Ranger, but unfortunately, during those years, only men are hired to be one. That didn’t stop her, though.
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For the good part of her life, White devoted her life to advocating for animal welfare. The first animal organization she joined was the American Humane.
She was involved in the organization for 70 years, longer than any supporter of the organization.
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Another organization she closely worked with was the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association. She volunteered for the association for four decades as a trustee and chair.
To her, zoos are like “embassies”, where the public becomes much more aware of the animals around us. The more people learn, the more they are compelled to help in the conservation.
A challenge without limits
Fans and animal lovers who joined the challenge also shared links to their local charities.
These organizations included local rescue shelters, established organizations like the World Wildlife Fund, and other local zoos.
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“Betty White was an animal advocate all her life. If all of Betty’s fans donated just $3.00 to an animal rescue, imagine how many animals would be saved in honor of Betty White,” one tweeted in response to the challenge.
In life and in death, White used her career to promote animal welfare.
In her time with the American Humane, she made sure that her animal costars were treated well since she get to see them firsthand.
Through the “No Animals Were Harmed” initiative, animals were protected during filming.
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As quoted by CNN, she also joked, “I often say that I have to stay in show business to pay for my animal business,”
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But now, as her contagious compassion touched the hearts of many, her legacy will continue and more animals will be protected under her name.
Though her acting legacy will stay, she will always be remembered for the love she gave to others.
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Source: CBS, CNN, Biography, Instagram – @bettymwhite