UPDATE: ‘Amazing’ community response to ‘Betty White Challenge’

UPDATE (9:20 p.m.) - TAPS in Pekin said it has raised more than $20,000 from Monday’s Betty White Challenge.

“Our ability to say yes to animals in need is directly impacted by community support,” the organization said in a Monday evening Facebook post.

PEORIA (25 NEWS) - The community is responding in a big way by donating thousands of dollars to a Central Illinois animal shelter as a tribute to beloved actress Betty White, who was lifelong lover of animals.

She died New Year’s Eve, less than three weeks before turning 100 years old. White would have reached the century mark on Monday, and by late afternoon, the executive director of the Tazewell County Animal Protective Society (TAPS), Holly Crotty, said $14,000 had been raised.

“Oh my goodness, today has been amazing,” said Crotty.

People can make donations on the TAPS website.

As reported this past weekend, TAPS staff also honored Betty White by naming some of the shelter’s animals after her iconic characters. That included a momma-dog given the name Sue Ann Nivens, the role she played on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.