Happy Birthday to the late Betty White - here's how people are celebrating

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By stefan armitage

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January 17 marks what would have been Betty White's 100th birthday.

The beloved Golden Girls star - whose career spanned over eight decades - sadly passed away "peacefully in her sleep at home" on Friday, December 31, 2021.

And although today should have been much more of a happier occasion, many of White's fans are still celebrating the star's birthday in a number of heartwarming ways. Here are some of our favorites...

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Credit: Francis Specker / Alamy The 'Betty White Challenge'

Usually, when you hear of the latest social media challenge, it makes you want the stop the Earth from spinning and just get off. However, this is challenge I'm sure we can all get behind.

Popularized on Twitter, the 'Betty White Challenge' pays homage to White’s undying love of animals by asking people to donate to an animal shelter on January 17 in honor of the beloved star. A graphic being widely shared under the hashtag ‘BettyWhiteChallenge’ gives these instructions:

"On Betty White’s 100th birthday, January 17th, everyone should pick a local rescue or animal shelter in your area and donate just $5 in Betty White’s name," the now-viral post reads. "Make her 100th birthday the movement she deserves."

And just a quick Twitter search shows that there are plenty of people honoring Betty today by donating to help our four-legged friends.

Watch 'Betty White: A Celebration'

A truly wonderful way to spend today would be to find a local movie theater that is playing the documentary Betty White: A Celebration.

Producers Steve Boettcher and Mike Trinklein describe the movie as a "celebration of America’s sweetheart is an opportunity to remember Betty White's amazing life and career".

The film will also include a video message from White recorded just 10 days before her passing.

Boettcher tells ET: "What's fun about the film is that it shows Betty in kind of quiet moments. Betty at home, Betty with a few friends, Betty with animals, and it kind of shows maybe another side of Betty. Off the stage and out of the limelight, but still the Betty we all know and love."

It sounds like a wonderful watch.

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Credit: Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy Take 'Betty's LA Zoo Tour'

Los Angeles Zoo describes White as "a lifelong lover of wildlife", hailing her accomplishments as "a Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) trustee and donor, passionate Zoo advocate, City of Los Angeles 'Ambassador to the Animals', and honorary zookeeper."

As a way of celebrating their "lifelong friend", the zoo has established Betty's LA Zoo Tour, where visitors can "walk in Betty’s footsteps" and visit some of her favorite areas in the zoo. It adds: "Enjoy photos of Betty and animal friends from our archive and read in her own heartfelt and sometimes funny words on why she loved the Zoo."

The zoo has also set up the Betty White Tribute Fund.

As of this writing, more than $21,000 has been raised. Simply amazing!

Watch 'Honoring Betty White' on Hallmark

Hallmark has blocked out their entire Monday with back-to-back Betty White.

Enjoy a 40-episode marathon of some of White's greatest TV moments from The Golden Girls and The Lost Valentine.

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Credit: AA Film Archive / Alamy Enjoy a hot dog

This may sound silly, but White once credited her long and happy life to her love of hot dogs.

Speaking to Queen Latifah on her talk show in 2014, White revealed: "Hot dogs are the reason I am 92... I am a health nut, as you can plainly see. People think, 'Oh, that’s junk food.' Not if you live on it."

And per the LA Times, White was particularly fond of Pink’s Hot Dogs in Los Angeles - so much so that she has a hot dog named in her honor: The Betty White Naked Dog.

As a result of White's love of hot dogs, restaurant's all over the US are celebrating White's birthday with a good weiner:

Binge watch her greatest moments

From her record-breaking appearance on Saturday Night Live to her hilarious portrayal of Grandma Annie in the 2009 movie The Proposal, there are plenty of incredible moments from White's career that can be found on YouTube or streamed online.

Below is one of my favorite sketches, and there's plenty of amazing moments to find online:

There are many other events being held across the country, so check out the listings in your local area to see how you can pay tribute to one of the most adored stars of the last 100 years.

Betty, we love you and we miss you. Happy Birthday!

Featured image credit: UPI / Alamy