Betty White Fan Launches GoFundMe Campaign to Protect Entertainer From 2016

Following the deaths of iconic actress Carrie Fisher and musician George Michael, a South Carolina man named Demetrios Hrysikos launched a crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe to raise funds to protect 94-year-old entertainer, Betty White, from 2016. Fisher and Michael are the latest celebrities who passed away in the past twelve months. Other celebrities who have died in 2016 include David Bowie, Alan Thicke, Alan Rickman, Prince, Florence Henderson, Leonard Cohen, and Gene Wilder.

Sharing details about his “mission,” Hrysikos stated on the campaign’s website:

“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 [guard] 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.”

He also revealed what made him launch the campaign:

“The idea came to me after news of Carrie fishers passing to try and put a smile back on some people faces and do some good! Other than liking to support our local arts and having a friend who works at the little theater I don’t have any connection to it, I just thought it would be a good place for any money made to go. 2016 has taken so many great artists and SLT helps support and nurture new budding talent in our town. I’d like to think that Betty , Carrie, and Bowie would be happy with any proceeds going to that cause , which I assure you it WILL! This has been unexpected but let’s make it a good thing ! We need new artists to carry the mantel of all the great ones we lost this year so keep sharing and donating to ensure a better 2017 for the arts.”

Since its debut on Tuesday afternoon, the campaign has raised $1,885 out of its $2,000 funding goal from nearly 180 supporters.