Betty White, American actress and animal advocate, died on New Year’s Eve. Her death inspired many to bolster the animal welfare work she did while alive, most notably the Betty White Challenge which occurred on Jan. 17, what would have been her 100th birthday. 

The Betty White Challenge encouraged people to donate to local animal shelters, rescues, and other animal welfare organizations. The Humane Society of Greene County Director Jane Gapen said the support came immediately and continued to come even after White’s birthday.

“We immediately began getting donations in the mail, through our PayPal, through our website and through our Facebook,” Gapen said.

Hilltop Packs Coffee, a coffee roastery located at 1006 E. Greene Street in Waynesburg, participated in the challenge after reaching out to the Humane Society. 

“I’m a huge Betty White fan and a huge pet lover so it just seemed to make sense,” Bridget Vilenica, co-owner of Hilltop Packs Coffee, said. “We thought why not give folks an avenue to donate by buying coffee, something they like anyway.”

Vilenica said that although there was some pretty “nasty” weather on Monday, they raised about $400 from a combination of online donations and coffee sales. 

“You always want more, but we were happy with it,” Vilenica said. “I mean who doesn’t love the humane society? They do such a great job and I know funds are hard to come by in this pandemic age.”

They are presenting the check to the Humane Society this week. 

Gapen said most of the donations to the Humane Society go directly to the animals.

“Some of the animals we get are hurt and injured badly, so most of our donations go towards animal care and to the veterinarian, getting them ready for adoption and ready to go to their new forever homes,” Gapen explained.

Gapen said that although they haven’t finished tallying up the overall donations under White, the number has four digits.

According to Gapen, the Humane Society of Greene County has one of the highest adoption rates in the country, with a “wonderful reputation.” 

“Lots of people know us and come to us,” she explained. 

Gapen keeps a signed photograph of Betty White hanging on the bulletin board at the society, one that White mailed directly to them.

“Betty White was amazing and her legacy lives on through her death. It’s just amazing the influence she had,” Gapen said. And to the donors: “Thank you thank you thank you! We appreciate their kindness to the animals so much. I don’t know how to thank people enough, it’s wonderful!”