Donors contribute thousands to Topeka animal shelters to mark centennial of Betty White's birth
Monday may have been the late Betty White's birthday, but Topeka animal shelters were the ones getting all the presents.
The Cat Association of Topeka reported it received 32 contributions through Facebook totaling $622 after posting a message Monday morning on its Facebook site encouraging people to donate as part of social media's #BettyWhiteChallenge.
Other donors made contributions by check, with the total amount received being unavailable Tuesday, or bought items from a wish list for cats that are housed at the shelter at 1719 S.W. Gage Blvd., said Diane Barnes, the Cat Association's retail manager.
Meanwhile, Topeka's Helping Hands Humane Society brought in $4,986 through Facebook as a result of the challenge.
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HHHS shared that information Tuesday on its Facebook site, where it had made an initial request for donations through that campaign on Jan. 5 then put out a renewed request Monday morning.
White, a longtime animal welfare advocate who enjoyed decades of TV success as an actress, died Dec. 31 at age 99.
Social media subsequently saw the emergence of the #BettyWhiteChallenge, a campaign asking people to make donations to animal shelters in her honor in the amount of $5 each.
Topeka Zoo fundraiser also benefits humane society
As of Tuesday, a Topeka Zoo fundraiser linked to the challenge had raised $115 for HHHS.
"The program runs through Jan. 23, so those interested still have time to make a difference," said Alexandria "Lexi" Granados, the zoo's digital content coordinator, on Tuesday.
The zoo and HHHS announced Monday that they were teaming up on the fundraiser. It also celebrates the birthday of Sarge, the zoo's only male giraffe, who turned 10 on Monday.
The zoo as part of the fundraiser will donate $5 to HHHS in White's name for every personalized brick it sells Jan. 17 through Jan. 23.
So far, 23 bricks have been purchased, meaning $115 has been raised for HHHS, Granados said Tuesday.
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The hearts of those at HHHS are breaking over White's recent death, but they're happy to partner with the zoo on the fundraiser, said Grace Clinton, HHHS director of business development and special events, in a news release.
White was an inspiration to people around the world, zoo director Brendan Wiley told The Capital-Journal on Tuesday.
"Her love for animals was profound," he said. "She made an enormous impact and improved the lives of animals around the world while at the same time making personal touches in communities like ours. We will be ever grateful for what she has accomplished."
Zoo sells bricks as part of a fundraiser to honor Betty White
The bricks will line the path to the zoo's new giraffe barn and habitat, which open next summer.
The zoo last June broke ground on that $7.75 million project, which will be the largest in its history. The current giraffe building, built in 1966, is the oldest on the zoo's property.
The bricks are being sold as part of a campaign the zoo kicked off in late November through which it is selling 4x8 bricks for $100 and 8x8 bricks for $250.
The smaller brick allows for someone to write two lines and up to 12 characters per line, and the larger brick allows for four lines at 12 characters each.
Granados, said donations to the campaign can be made on the Topeka Zoo's website at TopekaZoo.org, where a link directs the public to a page where the bricks can be purchased.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: 'Betty White Challenge' proves beneficial for Topeka animal shelters
