10-year-old Olivia Polaski’s passion for birds takes flight at Raven Ridge in Pennsylvania

WASHINGTON BORO, Penn. (WGN) — It’s at the Raven Ridge Wildlife Center in central Pennsylvania where feathered creatures came out of their shells, some even with eagle eyes, to the care of an aspiring animal rehabilitator.

10-year-old Olivia Polaski’s passion for birds took flight in her youngest years.

“Before I got into Raven Ridge, I got into birds,” Polaski said. “Every morning, I’d sit outside and listen to the birds while I eat breakfast. And then I started to realize how complicated and cool birds are.”

According to family members, Polaski’s love for birds grew so much that she started asking for donations to Raven Ridge as birthday presents.

“I was kind of taken aback because that’s not a normal thing for a child to ask for,” said Bethany Polaski, Olivia’s mom. “[She was] asking if all of her gifts could be donations to Raven Ridge.”

On top of birthday wishes, Olivia Polaski has also set herself to fundraising for Raven Ridge in the form of setting up a lemonade stand, complete with snacks, crafts and more.

“We raised at least, I think, over $100,” Olivia Polaski said. “I was very successful raising money for Raven Ridge.”

Experts at the wildlife rehabilitation center agree that, even at 10 years old, Olivia Polaski has what it takes to live her dream someday.

“I want to be an animal rehabilitator and I want to help save more animals,” Olivia Polaski said.

A worthwhile vision that isn’t a flight of fancy.

“I’m so proud of her,” Bethany Polaski said.