Livingston Child Donates Doll To Hospital

When Alexis Rubenstein, 5, of Livingston, visited Saint Barnabas Medical Center last month with her mother and twin brother, she donated a doll to Melissa Cook and Danielle Martello, two child-life specialists from the hospital’s Child Life Department. 

Alexis received Maya, an Itty Bitty Baby American Girl doll last year while she was a patient at the hospital through the generosity of the Children’s Hospital Association.

Alexis and her family were so touched by the gift, they decided to save money to buy an American Girl Doll to donate back to the hospital to give to another child.

Alexis’s mom, Stacey, also wrote a thank you letter to the Children’s Hospital Association which appeared with Alexis’s photo in the organization’s annual report.

“The impact of receiving an American Girl doll goes beyond Alexis feeling comfortable in the hospital. I cannot thank you enough for such a tangible and meaningful way for my daughter to learn firsthand about doing for others,” the letter said.