Crestwood Girl Gives Back to Hospital That Saved Her Life

VALHALLA, N.Y. – Brooklyn Benedikt’s life was saved by the Maria Ferari Children’s Hospital in Valhalla during the summer of 2010. Now, she and her family are helping to give back to the hospital by creating the website, donateyourcoffeemoney.org. 

“People drink five of those café lattes a week,” said Gregg Benedikt, Brooklyn’s father. “If they took that money and donated it for just one day, that money could add up and go a long way.”

Brooklyn Bendikt is 6 years old and when she was four she underwent open-heart surgery at the children’s hospital to repair an atrial septal defect that left a large hole in her heart. The successful surgery allowed Brooklyn to attend kindergarten on time and continue leading a healthy life. In an effort to give back to the hospital that saved her life, she and her family, of Crestwood, launched the Donate Your Coffee Money website this week. 

Anyone can access the site and easily make a donation directly to the Maria Ferari Children’s Hospital’s “Go the Distance” fundraiser in lieu of purchasing their favorite cappuccino that day. 

Brooklyn and her younger sister Quinn, 4, have also volunteered to donate their birthday presents every year to the children who are currently patients in the hospital. 

Andrew LaGuardia, a spokesperson for the hospital, said the Benedikt family and their giving gestures are spot on with the fundraiser’s goals.

“Although the cause – caring for the region’s most seriously ill and injured children - is critically important, ‘Go the Distance’ is a family-friendly event,” LaGuardia said in an email. “We encourage supporters to have fun with their efforts. The Benedikt family does just that and their creative campaign exemplifies their spirit and overall dedication to the children’s hospital.” 

This February, Brooklyn was named the grand marshal for the 2012 “Go the Distance” fundraiser at the children’s hospital. The fundraising walk-run event supports the children's hospital and their patients. As grand marshal, Brooklyn will lead the thousands of participants in the walk around the Westchester Medical Center campus in Valhalla on April 22. Last year, the Benedikts raised $10,000 for the event to be donated to the hospital. 

 

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