AIKEN — Nia Graham went to the SPCA Albrecht Center in Aiken to celebrate the life of actor Betty White and left with a new friend.
“I saw the event, and I’m just a big Betty White fan,” said the Hephzibah resident, who attended a “Golden Girls” adoption event Jan. 17 in honor of what would’ve been White’s 100th birthday. “That caught me initially, but just for a companion. We’re used to having cats when we used to live up north, and we don’t have any animals down here.”
Graham and her family left with Little Man, a mixed breed dog.
“He chose us. He was kind of really excited. We kind of went in with a lot of them, and he was the one that’s like yeah, you,” Graham said. “He peed on us twice when we first met.”
Betty White party favors. Photo by Dana Lynn McIntyre 
Fans of White used her birthday to remember her and her lifelong love of animals. She died at her California home on Dec. 31, 2021. Within hours, #BettyWhiteChallenge, spread across social media. It urged people to pick an animal rescue group and make a $5 donation in her name.
The Albrecht center accepted monetary donations but also offered fee-waived adoptions on all senior pets, over six years of age.
“We want to do this because, you know, honoring Betty White,” said Barbara Nelson, CEO of the center. “I mean, look at the great soul that she was she loved animals. She lived for such a long time always doing good deeds. What better way to celebrate somebody’s life and to help the thing that she loved the most and that is animals.”
The day included “Golden Girls” cheesecake, a “Golden Girls” themed raffle and treat bags for adopters. They could also pose with Betty White photo props.
Nelson said it was heartwarming to see people coming to the Albrecht Center and the donations they received.
“It’s going to make a big difference for us. So, thank you, Betty White. You just keep on giving,” she said.
The Albrecht Center wasn’t the only area animal group marking White’s birthday.
On Jan. 15 Friends of the Animal Shelter, the volunteer group supporting the Aiken County animal shelter, partnered with Downtown Dog in Aiken to hold the “Betty White Birthday Bash.” It featured games and the chance to post with a life-sized Betty White cutout.
Earlier in the day, members held a food giveaway at the shelter on Wire Road.
“At the shelter in the morning, the people receiving pet food assistance were most appreciative,” FOTAS President Jennifer Miller said. “We had about ten cars come through and we stocked each one up with pet food. Downtown Dog’s Betty White event was a huge success with wonderful support for our community.”
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
