Photo: Angela Weiss/Getty
Thedeath of Betty White on Dec. 31has led to an outpouring of positive memories from her fans around the world, including a moving story from theAudubon Nature Institute.
On Friday, the New Orleans-based nonprofit tweeted about theGolden Girlstar’s passing, calling White, 99, “a conservationist, animal advocate, and friend.“In the tweet, the Audubon Nature Institute, which operates New Orleans' zoo and aquarium, also shared how the iconic actress helped Louisiana’s animals during a time of crisis.
“When the penguins & sea otters were evacuated to@MontereyAqfor Hurricane Katrina, Betty White paid for the plane to relocate them. She did not ask for fanfare; she just wanted to help,” the nonprofit wrote on social media.
This tweet references the efforts made to protect the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas' animals after Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana in 2005.
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This gesture from White is one of the numerous examples of how the actresssupported animals and their welfarethroughout her life. In 2017,White received the James Smithson Bicentennial Medalfor her “commitment to wildlife and efforts to create a sustainable planet,” specifically through her charitable work with zoos and animal rescues.
Since White’s passing, fans have started a movement online encouraging everyone to donate $5 to an animal welfare charity on Jan. 17, which would’ve been White’s 100th birthday, to honor the actress and her deep appreciation for animals and their well-being.
Among those supporting the fan-created “#BettyWhiteChallenge,” is Lance Bass,who shared a post about the effort to Instagram on Tuesday.
“Soooooo in for this! #BettyWhiteChallenge,” Bass, 42, captioned the post, which also included a black and white photo of White holding a dog.
source: people.com
