Charlie, then 1, gets some sun outside of the SPCA Luzerne County in Plains Township in this file photo. The SPCA saw charitable donations spike this week as as folks celebrated what would have been Betty White’s centennial with donations to shelters in the animal-loving actress’ name.
Times Leader file photo
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White
A promotional flyer for the Betty White Challenge, was came about as a trending hashtag on social media platforms. While the SPCA of Luzerne County was already holding a fundraiser for the Humane Society Police, the Betty White Challenge saw their desired dollar amount met, and then nearly tripled, totaling $12,215 with some checks still in the mail to be added to the total.
Courtesy of SPCA of Luzerne County
PLAINS TWP. — In honor of what would have been the animal-loving actress’ 100th birthday on Monday, fans around the country donated to shelters in Betty White’s memory.
For The SPCA of Luzerne County, the “Betty White Challenge” saw the facility nearly triple its donations in a current fundraising campaign.
Development Director Randy Lucas said the January campaign was planned even before White, 99, died on Dec. 31.
“Usually, we raise about four- to five-thousand dollars for them, so we coupled that, over the weekend, with the Betty White Challenge on Monday, and we raised just over $12,000,” Lucas said, “so it was more than double what we had expected.”
With some donations sent via postal service, the current tally of $12,215 may exceed $12,500 or even closer to $13,000, he added.
All of the proceeds raised will go directly to the purchase of new equipment for Humane Society police officers, Lucas said.
Nationwide focus
According to the Associated Press, it isn’t exactly clear who started the Betty White Challenge on social media shortly after White’s death on Dec. 31. However it began, the idea — to donate $5 to a local animal rescue organization in White’s name on her birthday — quickly took off and drew support from celebrities like actors Mark Hamill and George Takei on Twitter.
“I’ve had many conversations with Betty about animal welfare, and I know she’s looking down from heaven and really smiling,” said Robin Ganzert, who leads American Humane, an animal welfare organization that White was involved with for more than 60 years.
Traffic to American Humane’s website spiked after White’s passing. Ganzert said donations, too, have increased. The nonprofit is waiting to reveal by how much until more gifts flood in, including sizable donations it’s expecting from some donors.
During the decades in which White was involved with the organization, she made fundraising appeals and served on its board and as a presenter and judge on its televised show featuring “hero” dogs. In 2012, the nonprofit honored her with its highest award, the National Humanitarian Medal.
According to the Los Angeles Times, The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association raised more than $70,000 through the nationwide #BettyWhiteChallenge campaign through donations from 49 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and 11 countries, including Malta, the Netherlands and Australia.
‘Help with what you can’
The original focus of the local SPCA’s fundraiser was “Let’s Help Humane,” which saw them trying to assist in purchasing a high-quality laptop and freezer for the organization. With the amount raised, however, Lucas says they can now help in a much greater way, stressing the importance of technology in the field.
He highlighted a recent case, where officers were able to capture video footage, present it to a judge via laptop, and in about 45 seconds, he was able to make a decision and save a dog from abuse.
“We figured what better way to honor Betty White than to, you know, fight for the animals she cared for,” Lucas said.
Lucas has spent nearly a decade with the SPCA, volunteering for seven years before being hired on a development director nearly three years ago. He says it’s his life’s passion to help animals. Prior to this appointment, he spent 10 years as an engineer with PennDOT, and still does “some survey work here and there,” but his work with the SPCA is what he hopes to call a career.
For those who wish to continue supporting the SPCA, the charity golf tournament is coming in May, and Lucas encouraged supporters to keep an eye out on their Facebook page, SPCA of Luzerne County, as they announce bi-monthly fundraisers there. He also highlighted the constant need for cat litter and laundry soap, for those who may wish to donate something tangible and not monetary.
“A lot of people sometimes think their $10 donation isn’t going to help but when their $10 donation is paired with everybody else who gave a $10 donation, it adds up fast,” Lucas said. “Help with what you can.”
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The Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times contributed to this report.
