'Protect Betty White From 2016' GoFundMe Is a Clever Way to Do Some Good
Update (12/29, 11:15 a.m.): This beast has now raised $7,115 from 630 donors.
Original story (12/18, 2:45 p.m.): Not long after Tuesday's news of Carrie Fisher's tragic death at age 60, Betty White, turning 95 in January, started trending on social media. Not because she was dead, but because people are begging the fates not to add another name to the long list of truly beloved celebrities we've lost this year.
Also, there is a GoFundMe page titled "Help protect Betty White from 2016." Launched yesterday by South Carolina's Demetrios Hrysikos, the campaign has secured, as of this publication, $3,050 of its original $2,000 goal. More than 290 people have donated in less than 24 hours.
Ridiculous, right? Well, no. Read Hrysikos' original description, and pay attention after the second sentence:
"Help 2016 catch these hands if it goes anywhere near Betty White! If she's okay with it I will fly to where ever Betty White is and keep her safe till Jan. 1, 2017. Now, assuming she doesn't want a strange Greek standing gaurd [sic] outside her door all monies will be donated to the Spartanburg little theater to help craft new stars of stage and screen to carry mantle of the legends that have left is this year."
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