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Recently, some McDowell County girls who felt the impact of Hurricane Helene got together to send dolls to Texas for others like them who were victims of flooding.

On Sunday, Aug. 10, a group of girls gathered at Nebo Crossing in Marion to pack 40 American Girl dolls that will be sent to children in Texas. In July, some areas of Texas saw deadly flash floods.

“It was a full circle moment as many of these girls lost everything during Hurricane Helene and were able to write notes of encouragement, pray over these dolls and send them off to girls who have similar experiences,” said Erin Prevost, who was a liaison between her church, Nebo Crossing, and the organization Mountain Heirlooms.

Prevost said the Tilsher family from Orlando, Florida, organized the event. She secured a location to host it. She found the event so impactful for local girls, including those in her family.

Angela and Mark Tilsher, and their daughters, Kenzie and Kayleigh, are from Orlando and no strangers to hurricanes. After Hurricane Helene whipped through in the fall of 2024, the girls were desperate to do something to help.

“That’s how Mountain Heirlooms was born,” said Prevost.

When Mountain Heirlooms: An Appalachian Doll Initiative began in 2024, it was in direct response to Hurricane Helene’s devastation across western North Carolina. The Tilsher family wanted to bring comfort to girls in North Carolina who had lost homes, belongings, and their sense of safety.

The effort has now sent more than 400 dolls across western North Carolina and Tennessee, according to a statement from Mountain Heirlooms.

“They lovingly restore donated dolls in their living room, pack them in hand sewn dresses with tiny Bibles, pray over them and send them off to girls who have applied,” reads the statement from Mountain Heirlooms. “It’s an incredible mission the Lord has called them to.”

Prevost said her girls were recipients of dolls in February and it had an impact.

“We didn’t just ask ‘How can we help?’” said Angela Tilsher. “We asked, ‘How can we bring healing?’ For me, the answer wasn’t just meeting physical needs — it was targeting trauma through play. I wanted to give children a way to process loss, rediscover joy, and feel like kids again. And I wanted my girls to be part of that mission, to see firsthand how small acts of kindness can create ripples of hope.”

The effort began by restoring gently used American Girl dolls, rebranding them as Anna the Appalachian Doll, and gifting them to girls ages 6 to 13 impacted by the storm.

The Anna Club girls in Marion packed 40 dolls bound for Texas flood survivors on Aug. 10, according to the statement from Mountain Heirlooms.

“Through Mountain Heirlooms, Anna Club has become our signature program: a monthly doll playdate for girls ages 6-13 who’ve walked through the storm,” the statement reads. “It’s more than fun — it’s trauma-informed play, backed by research showing it can reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms in children by up to 71%.”

At the heart of the Texas packing event at Nebo Crossing was the fact that every girl helping had once received an Anna the Appalachian Doll after Hurricane Helene.

“They are one of the only special groups who can truly relate to what the girls in Texas are going through — because they’ve lived it,” reads the statement from Mountain Heirlooms.

For this event, Anna took on a new name: Anna for Texas.

“It was more than a packing day — it was a moment of deep empathy, where each girl could say, ‘I’ve been where you are. Your story matters, and you’re not alone,’” reads the statement.

Each of the dolls comes with a puppy companion, extra outfit, a miniature Bible, story booklet and more.

“And we’re not slowing down. The data makes it clear — many WNC girls are still in need,” reads the statement from Mountain Heirlooms. “Our plan is to keep sending dolls into our local communities, using Anna Club as the space where healing can take root, and each doll as the bridge toward moving forward.”

For more information, to donate a doll, or to get involved, visit .