With the recent passing of the famous actress and outspoken animal welfare advocate Betty White, a nationwide movement was created to honor the passionate animal lover to help celebrate what would have been her 100th birthday on Jan. 17. The challenge was posted on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram, encouraging individuals to donate to their local shelters to help the homeless pets.  

Thanks to volunteers, the national movement also took hold locally. Golden Belt Humane Society volunteer and foster parent Leanne Petersilie was the first to create a fundraising post on Facebook showing her support of the local organization.

Also advocates for the Golden Belt Humane Society, RePerks Coffee Shop posted on its Facebook page a similar challenge for community supporters as the late actress’s birthday drew closer. The business offered a free dinner and T-shirts to anyone who donated over $100, and also revealed a matching donor at $1,000.

“It is amazing the support we continue to receive from our community and beyond,” said Heather Acheson, director of the Golden Belt Humane Society. “Every dollar is used for the care of the animals – vaccinations, microchips, or any unforeseen medical needs of the animals.” 

Acheson also thanked the RePerks owners for their continuous support. “Rick and Dennis have always been some of our biggest supporters and do whatever they can to help the shelter pets. Even through their own challenging times, they still think about the community pets as well as the people. We are grateful for them in all they do and to everyone who participated in honor of Betty White.”

Several folks took to donating in a variety of ways - monetary and pet related items to the shelter. Donated items include pet crates, blankets, towels, pet food and toys. As of the end of Friday, Jan. 21, the monetary totals received are as follows: Golden Belt Humane Society – $1,200; RePerks Coffee Shop – $1,250; Matching Donor – $1,000.

“RePerks staff helped by joining the #BeLikeBetty Challenge, by wearing T-shirts with the #BLB emblem and pictures of the actress throughout the restaurant. Our goal at RePerks is to help the many animals in need in Barton County, whenever and however we can,” RePerks owners Rick Riggs and Dennis Crouse said in a joint statement.

“We would especially like to thank the lovely lady from Wichita, Karen, who was visiting Great Bend for the day, and donated $500 to our cause while she just stopped in for a cup of coffee,” they added. “(We also want to thank) the wonderful anonymous person who agreed to match all donations up to $1,000. We can’t thank you enough and to all the employees of both RePerks and GBHS for their tireless effort in pursuit of donations.”

Acheson also noted a Yahoo News report from Jan. 21, which reported more than 390,000 people have donated to fundraisers on Facebook and Instagram for the #BettyWhiteChallenge, raising $12.7 million for animal shelters and rescues.