Betty White challenge benefits homeless pets

The passing of actress Betty White ended 2021 on a heavy note but launched a series of challenges in her name that has swept social media and even made its way to Douglas County on Monday.

In honor of what would have been her 100th birthday, fans posted an online challenge asking people to donate $5 to their local animal shelter Jan. 17.

One of Minden’s oldest service clubs accepted the challenge and collected more than $2,000 for Douglas County Animal Services.

Members of the Minden Fortnightly club, Maria Falconeri, Debbie McNeil, Melinda Neilander, Becky Soderman and Dana Reed, came together in front of Smith’s in Gardnerville on Monday with a table and a sign reading “Happy Birthday Betty White!” and collected donations in the late actress’s honor.

McNeil said she bet her brother that the group would raise at least $800.

“I said to him, ‘It’s Douglas County, it’s full of generous people’ “said McNeil.

The group began collecting donations at 8 a.m. on Monday, by 11 a.m. they had already collected over $300, said McNeil.

“It’s been mostly monetary, but some toys have been donated too and we had some people even ask questions about the animal shelter,” said McNeil. “It’s been an all-around good thing for the shelter.”

White died New Year’s Eve. She was noted for her work in the entertainment industry and for her advocacy work that supported the health and welfare of animals, hence the inspiration for the challenge.

“Betty White had a lot to do with all of this, but we’re happy we were able to come together and support the shelter anyway and remember her too,” said McNeil.

The Douglas County Animal Services held their own event in White’s honor with an adoption day.

Animal care assistant Rae Kennedy said four dogs and one cat were adopted during the event.

Other donations including toys, blankets and food have been donated to the shelter in White’s honor since Dec. 31.

“We’ve had a lot of donations in her honor since she’s passed,” said Kennedy. “All of it has been very helpful and we hope to be able to do something like this again in the future.”

Douglas County Animal Services accepts donations anytime.

“Donations are always welcome because it’s all beneficial to the shelter,” said Kennedy. “Toys, blankets and food helps care for the animals daily and monetary donations help with vaccines or anything else the shelter needs to care for the animals.”

The animal shelter is located at 921 Dump Road in Gardnerville. For information, call 782-9061.