Young Girl’s Generosity Brings Comfort to Hurricane-Affected Children
October 23, 2024
A heartwarming initiative is taking place in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
A compassionate 4-year-old named Henley Castilon has successfully gathered over 1,000 stuffed animals to support children impacted by Hurricane Helene across East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
Henley / Credit: Jennifer Castilon
Recognizing the solace her stuffed animals bring her, Henley decided to extend that comfort to other children who experienced losses due to the hurricane.
Henley’s father, Alex Castilon, highlighted the calming effect these toys have on his daughter.
“That’s what always calms her down,” Alex explained to WSMV. “When she’s having a challenging day, her stuffed animals are what keep her going. She said all her friends out there had lost their stuffies, and she wanted to help get them some more.”
Henley initiated her mission by giving away approximately 30 of her own toys to the young hurricane victims. The endeavor quickly captured the attention of her community, prompting support from neighbors, friends, and local businesses. The initiative gained further momentum when a Hendersonville moms’ Facebook group became involved, leading to an influx of donations. Some contributors even traveled significant distances to deliver their contributions to designated drop-off points, such as a local veterinary clinic.
Henley’s mother, Jennifer Castilon, shared her pride in her daughter’s altruistic actions.
“Henley was diagnosed with autism a couple of years ago,” Jennifer told WKRN. “A few years back, she struggled to communicate. Now, seeing her lead this effort—it’s nothing short of joyful.”
