(WWJ) - In honor of what would have been Betty White's 100 birthday, thousands of dollars in donations flooded animal rescue groups and shelters across the nation and Metro Detroit on Monday.
The late actress was known for her love of animals and fans celebrated her legacy by donating to animal shelters in what's being called the "Betty White Challenge" on social media.
Local shelters across Detroit saw donations from a couple of dollars up to hundreds of dollars, Fox 2 reported.
Corinne Martin, the founder of the Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society, told Fox 2 that in her 25 years of rescuing animals, she's never seen the outpouring of support that she saw on Monday.
The donations will be used to provide veterinary care, pay off bills, and purchase shelter necessities.
"We're thrilled," Martin told Fox 2.
"I just can't believe it."
The Michigan Humane Society received $30,000 in donations on Monday, a huge jump compared to the $500 in donations they received last January.
Detroit Pit Crew -- who operates a low cost veterinary clinic in Eastpointe -- told Fox 2 that they received just under $25,000 in donations, but a long-time donor stepped in and matched the amount -- raising the final total to almost $50,000.
Fox 2 reported the Michigan Animal Rescue saw $17,000 in donations.
The Detroit Dog Rescue announced on social media that they raised $10,000 through the Betty White Challenge.
"As promised, we will be naming, not just our adoption room, but our entire adoption hallway after the legendary Betty White!" Krisitna Rinaldi wrote in a post on the rescue's Facebook page.
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Rinaldi also wrote that the new rescue facility-- which opens this spring -- will play the theme song to "Golden Girls" when one of their dogs is adopted.
"We're happy to forever honor Betty White, the animal world's golden girl!" Rinaldi wrote.
White passed away on New Year's Eve -- just shy of her 100 birthday on Jan. 17.
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