On the last day of 2021, Betty White passed away at 99 — less than three weeks before her hundredth birthday. As the world copes with the loss of such a cultural icon, many people are keeping her spirit alive by participating in the new social media challenge created in her honor.

As White was a life-long animal advocate, fans have been encouraged to donate a mere $5 to a local animal shelter in the actress's name.

"It just goes to show the legacy that Betty White leaves behind. I think this is a wonderful idea. She was a life-long animal lover and wrote an animal book back in 2011. She was even named an honorary zookeeper in Los Angeles," Fox News correspondent Gino Salomone said. "Donations are already coming in from across the country. Some shelters say they've received thousands of dollars from the challenge," Salomone added.

The new challenge initially conceptualized to commemorate White's upcoming birthday has already led to considerable influxes in donations. One animal shelter that recently benefited from this challenge is Michigan's Freedom Animal Rescue and Sanctuary, which claims to have received nearly $3,000 in donations directly from the Betty White Challenge.

Various animal advocacy groups have also come out to pay tribute to White's legacy in the wake of her passing, showing just how much of a significant figure she was in this area.

"She was inspired to lend her celebrity to provide a voice for animals and brought much attention to the cause of animal welfare. We will miss our friend for life," said Madeline Bernstein — the president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA).

ABC7 News reports White had a close relationship with the L.A. Zoo.

"Betty White Ludden's legacy will have a lasting impact on all of us here at the Los Angeles Zoo," Denise Verret, the L.A. Zoo's CEO and director, said. "She was a longtime champion and friend of the L.A. Zoo who advocated for us and helped to amplify the work we are doing to conserve wildlife… The L.A. Zoo cannot thank Betty enough for her decades of support, and we share in this grief with all of you. There truly will never be another person like her."

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