From the moment a little girl spots the bright red box and iconic American Girl logo, it feels like magic. For many, these dolls aren’t just toys. They carry stories, memories and a sense of belonging that lasts far beyond childhood. They’re tied to afternoons spent dressing up dolls with friends, trips to the American Girl store or quiet moments of imagination at home. That spark of joy is exactly what sophomore Annette Flanagan hopes to share with others through her nonprofit, Dolls for Good.
“Last year, I was moving out of my house, and I had a trunk of all my American Girl dolls and clothes,” Flanagan said. “My mom wanted to throw them away, but I thought it would be fun to give other girls the chance to have the American Girl doll experience, because that was one of my fondest memories.”
That moment of deciding to share her dolls wasn’t just about clearing out old belongings. For Flanagan, American Girl dolls represent more than just toys; they are tied to some of her most cherished memories, especially the ones she shared with her grandmother.
“When I was little, my grandma would take my cousin and me to the American Girl doll store and we’d pick out clothes for our matching Mini Me dolls,” Flanagan said. “Especially if people are going through a hard time, American Girl dolls are something to lighten their day.”
With this passion, Flanagan officially kickstarted her nonprofit by legally registering Dolls for Good as a nonprofit and partnering with Hockaday Social Impact staff to bring her vision to life. Now, she is focused on planning for the year and recreating the American Girl Doll experience by donating previously loved American Girl Dolls to children in underserved communities.
“We plan to decorate boxes similar to American Girl Dolls’,” Flanagan said. “We will package the doll and its accessories in the box so we can bring them over to the organizations we’re working with, like Family Gateway.”
To make the project a success, Flanagan hopes to involve the Hockaday and broader Dallas community through doll drives and encouraging donations.
“I want to have a couple of days where everyone at Hockaday can bring their doll clothes and donate money,” Flanagan said. “We will bring everything over to the organization we are working with, and the kids can pick out the doll and clothes they want. Then, at the end of the drive, we will have a celebratory tea party with all the kids and their dolls.”
At its heart, Dolls for Good emphasizes how something as simple as a toy can influence the way children see themselves and the world around them. Flanagan believes every child deserves a toy that can bring comfort, connection and a sense of representation.
“It’s important for kids to have toys in their life and something that they can connect with,” Flanagan said. “Having a toy that maybe looks like you or that you are inspired by is also essential. American Girl has so many dolls with different cultures and inspiring stories behind them.”
Sophomore Arden Buckner, Vice President of Dolls for Good, is eager to support Flanagan and her mission. Like Flanagan, she has treasured memories tied to her American Girl dolls.
“I would keep my dolls at my grandma’s house, and my sister and I would have lunches with our cousins at the American Girl doll store café with them,” Buckner said.
As vice president, Buckner will help with organization, communication and social media outreach. In her new role, Buckner is empowered by the Dolls for Good mission. Buckner said, “To me, Dolls for Good means passing on dolls that hold a lot of memories to other kids so they can create the same memories with them.”
