Way to Go: Isabella Gordon

A Port Jefferson Station fifth-grader recently gave back to a hospital where she once was treated, raising money to buy holiday toys for sick children.

Isabella Gordon, who attends Terryville Road Elementary School, raised more than $300 in the effort to benefit patients at Stony Brook Children's hospital. She spent three days in the hospital's pediatric intensive care unit when she was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2011.

To raise the money, Isabella completed chores at home and got donations from family and friends who read about her efforts on Facebook. She was inspired to give back after watching a movie about President Jimmy Carter's efforts helping children in Africa, she said.

"I wanted to help kids around me, and I wanted to do something that would make me feel good," said Isabella, 11. "I knew Stony Brook wouldn't just make them happy by being super-nice. The kids would need a little something more."

Her home chores included washing dishes, vacuuming rugs and recycling bottles and cans, Isabella said. The toys purchased ranged from Barbie dolls to Doc McStuffins play sets.

Isabella also is a member of her school's Drama Club.