Humane Society Of Sarasota County Surprised With $20K Donation From ‘Good Morning America’

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — The Humane Society of Sarasota County received a surprise $20,000 donation from “Good Morning America” Monday to honor what would have been the 100th birthday of the late actress Betty White.

Fans around the world honored White, a lifelong animal advocate, on her birthday by donating to animal welfare charities, organizations and shelters. On social media, the movement was dubbed the "BettyWhiteChallenge.

Known for her roles on "The Golden Girls," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Hot in Cleveland," White died on New Year's Eve. She was 99.

Throughout her career, the iconic actress and comedian raised money for various animal causes, including the Morris Animal Foundation and the Los Angeles Zoo.

The Humane Society of Sarasota County was one of five animal organizations presented with a $20,000 donation from “GMA” and Mars, Inc. on air Monday. (Watch the full video clip below.)

Related Story: Sarasota Artist Honors Betty White With Lipstick Painting

Anna Guntz, executive director, and Autumn Steiner, senior director of philanthropy, appeared on the show with several kittens available for adoption when the donation was announced.

Other nonprofits that received a donation from “GMA” were the Animal Rescue League of Boston, North Shore Animal League in New York, Best Friends Animal Society in Utah and Richmond SPCA in Virginia.

“We are so unbelievably grateful to ‘Good Morning America’ and Mars, Incorporated for their incredible donation. We hope that Betty White would be proud of the generosity towards animals on her behalf,” the Humane Society of Sarasota County shared on Facebook.

Though White’s birthday has passed, it’s not too late to make a donation to the Humane Society in her honor here.

Watch the entire “GMA” segment about the #BettyWhiteChallenge and the donations here: