On a day when the world seems preoccupied with proving birth certificates; insane pettiness; hateful fighting; and the endless news of humans hurting themselves, animals, and the environment it feels as though we could drown in the negativity. The discovery of this very special young woman and her genuine efforts to make a difference filled us all with hope and reminded us that there are lots of people taking positive actions to change the world. Perhaps it is truly time for “adult” humans to stop and let the children and the beasts show us a better way…
Young Author Raises 150K for Audubon Society (APRIL 25, 2011 MSNBC)
Eleven-year old Olivia Bouler made news after the Gulf oil spill when she raised money for the Audubon Society with her drawings of birds. Now the Audubon Society has published her drawings in a book called "Olivia's Birds: Saving the Gulf." The book is available online. At www.amazon.com/Olivias-Birds Audubon.org
Olivia wept when she heard about the oil spill on the Gulf Coast, a place where she spent many vacations with her cousins and grandparents who live in Louisiana and Alabama. Knowing birds were going to suffer, she decided to take action. Inspired by her hero John James Audubon, Olivia wrote to the Audubon Society about her idea to raise funds for Gulf Coast birds, and about her dreams of going to Cornell to study ornithology some day.
Olivia set a goal of drawing 500 pictures of birds and selling prints to those who donated to wildlife recovery efforts. The response has been inspirational. Olivia has raised more than $155,000 so far for organizations helping wildlife in the Gulf region, including $25,000 from AOL in honor of Olivia’s efforts. More than 25,000 people joined her Facebook fan page. Her story has been featured by CNN, The Today Show, CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, Larry King Live, and others. To date, Olivia has drawn at least 80 different species of birds in 500 original drawings.
She is not done with helping animals in need, however. This young artist and author is on a new mission to help animals—and the ASPCA. In a new partnership with the company ArtStamps, Olivia is using her artistic talents to help animals once again. Her latest design of her pets, Quinn, and Clara, or any of her other art gallery images, are now available on more than 500 products offered by ArtStamps. And 25% of all sales from Olivia’s gallery will be donated to the ASPCA!
White Dog, The Other White Dog, Another White Dog, and Still Another White Dog wish Olivia much success with her book and her art. She is a hero in our eyes.