Little girl does big things for animals

Polar bears and penguins are running out of ice, the little girl told her mommy, so we should go to the store and buy them some more.

If only it could be so simple.

Emily Koesters, a 6-year-old with cancer and a rare genetic disorder, has a big, loving heart tucked into a pint-size frame.

The girl is raising money to help endangered animals. And she’s good at it.

A few months ago, she raised nearly $300 for cheetahs. Now she is focused on polar bears and penguins.

She has raised more than $700 for them, with help from her family. On Friday, she presented that money to Dennis Pate, executive director of the Henry Doorly Zoo.

Emily is a big fan of books and television shows about wildlife. “She’s just fascinated about animals,” said her mother, Erin.

Emily’s visit to the zoo included a tour of the aquarium, an up-close look at the penguins and a golf cart ride.

She fed penguins some fish and petted them. The fish and penguins were both “stinky,” she told her mom.

The penguins were much softer than she thought they’d be, though, her mother said.

And it was “very cold” in there.

But Emily loved the visit.

Money for the cheetahs went to a nonprofit fund operating in Africa. But the funds raised and donated Friday will help the polar bears and penguins at Omaha’s zoo.

“She sure does love helping out the animals,” her mother said.

Contact the writer:

444-3198, chip.olsen@owh.com