By Crystal Hilliard
Spring Lake, MI (WOOD/CNN) - A Michigan community joined forces and raised $8,000 to help a 10-year-old girl get a life changing operation.
The money was donated at a spaghetti dinner Friday night.
Charlotte Ponce was attacked by a raccoon as an infant, doing severe damage to her face, ears and nose.
"What about your nose," said Sharon Ponce.
"They're gonna build me one," said Charlotte.
It's not the typical request from a 10-year-old girl, but when Charlotte was 5-months-old she lived in a pole barn with her biological parents who kept pet raccoons.
"She was left alone and the raccoon got into the crib and pretty much ate this whole side of her face," said her great-aunt Sharon.
The near fatal attack cost her her nose, top lip, and ear. Her parents lost custody.
When Charlotte's great-aunt and uncle adopted her, the road to recovery began.
"They do surgery then I wake up and get more free popsicles," said Charlotte.
It's been nine-and-a-half years of doctor appointments, surgeries, and scar tissue.
Now they believe they've found a doctor who can rebuild her face.
Next month Charlotte begins reconstructive surgery at Beaumont Children's Hospital in Royal Oak.
"We're excited but scared, at the same time," said Sharon.
Also scary is how they will pay for the expenses. Medicaid covers the surgery, but an extended hospital visit for her means a week-long hotel stay for them.
What this energetic 10-year-old really wants is simple.
"Reverse my lip, build me a nose, maybe even an ear," said Charlotte.
[Reporter]: "How do you feel about that?"
"More free popsicles," she said.
WOOD/CNN