Page 7 - RVO What Women Want Nov2016

What Women Want • An Advertising Supplement to the River Valley & Ozark Edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette • Sunday, November 20, 2016 • 7VV
The condition doesn’t slow her down.
In addition to chasing after her 4-year-old son, Ty, and her 10-month-old daughter, Josie, Cason oversees the GO Store that she and her husband founded.
They are members of Fellowship Bible Church, which is an Operation Christmas Child collection and relay center.
“We’ll have [semitrailers] where Russell- ville, Danville, Greenbrier and Clinton all bring their cartons to us,” she said. “We’ll send them to Dallas.”
The Casons have packed 200 shoeboxes in a year and have held packing parties at their home.
Cason scoops up bargains wherever she finds them, negotiating deals with store managers and scouring websites to buy flip-flops, backpacks, toys, and hygiene and school items.
Cason said she constantly hears stories about a child who had never been to school until he received a pencil and paper in his Operation Christmas Child box.
“Some children share one washcloth,” she said. “I can’t even imagine that.”
Cason said she gets emotional when she talks about the difference such simple items can make to children in other countries.
“Toothbrushes are a biggie; soap is a big- gie,” she said. Children are offered a volun- tary 12-week discipleship program, too.
“When you see something 90 percent off that someone across the globe — it would change their life — you have to get it,” she said.
At first, she filled her garage with the items. “It grew into this idea that we should do this for the community,” she said.
In 2015, she opened the Gospel Opportu- nity, or the GO Store, at The Ministry Center. “It was sort a play on Matthew 28:19 — ‘Go ye therefore and teach the nations,’” she said. She and her husband pay for everything
in the GO Store.
“
MERRY medley Collectible centerpieces
EILISH PALMER/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Erica Cason stands outside The Ministry Center, 766 Harkrider St. in Conway, where she opened the GO Store. It sells toys, school supplies and more at discounted prices to fill shoeboxes to send to needy children through Operation
Christmas Child. She is also a year-round volunteer for Samaritan’s Purse, which administers the program.
90 percent off that someone across the globe — it would change their life — you have to get it.”
ERICA CASON
CONWAY
“There are people in Oregon, Florida, Texas that also want to start stores, so I’m pretty excited to meet them and talk about that.” She’ll meet them at a global conference for Samaritan’s Purse in Florida in April.
Dawn Wilson, the pastor’s wife at Fellowship Bible Church, said Cason has taken Operation Christmas Child to new levels.
“She is so incredibly gifted and created just for this,” Wilson said.
“She is talented in ways I’ve never seen anybody else be — she’s a fantastic deal find- er. She has an amazing heart for this; she and her family live and breathe this. It has been so much fun just to let her go and see what she does with this.”
Cason’s goal is to have the store open year-round and become a place for people to volunteer and help pack boxes.
And, as always, Cason will be there to lend a helping hand.
“Luckily, my husband also had a heart for this and didn’t think I was crazy,” she said.
The GO Store moved to a larger space inside The Ministry Center this year, and Cason filled the store with more items.
“It’s majorly expanded this year,” she said. “It’s been so good.”
Not only that, but Samaritan’s Purse vol- unteers in other states, who have seen the Conway GO Store on Facebook, have contact- ed Cason about opening similar facilities in their communities. Two women drove from Tennessee this month just to shop at the GO Store, Cason said, and to see the layout.
Toothbrushes are a biggie; soap
is a biggie...When you see something
Combining elegance with floral decadence, this Thomas Kinkade’s Starry Night chapel can make a wonderful gift to be treasured for years to come. TO BUY: Daisy-A-Day Florist & Gifts, Greenbrier
Special scents
These Arkansas-made soaps are created using all-natural goat’s milk, which
has the same pH as human skin and is extremely moisturizing. These soaps come in a variety of fragrances, including white tea and ginger, lemongrass, wine and roses, and more.
TO BUY: Wax Worm Gifts & More, Conway
Fresh fudge
You might just fall head over heels for this sweet treat. With more than 20 flavors, the Fudge Factory can bring sweetness and fun to your holiday gathering.
TO BUY: Pickle’s Gap Village, Conway
Tasty morsels
Ring in the holiday cheer with festive snowmen treats. Choose from a variety of decadent marshmallow and chocolate goodies, among other traditional holiday delights.
TO BUY: Cindy’s Sweets & Eats, Heber Springs
Fashionable festivities
Statement scarves, fringe purses and faux fur vests are the top items on Santa’s list this year. Stand out in the crowd this holiday season with the latest styles.
TO BUY: Ye Olde Daisy Shoppe, Conway
WELL wishes
Healthy habits
Help catalyze your body to get back in the form you want it to be with 24 Hour Thermogenics products, such as its water-enhancing concentrate, Choco-Lettes appetite suppression and fat burner, and the Carb Blocker-3, which blocks carbs and starch while burning fat. These health-conscious products can help you on your path to achieving a great body. TO BUY: Diet Center, Conway
Smooth strolling
Boost your confidence from head to toe with the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 17 running shoes. A combination
of plush cushioning, stability and balance makes these a runner’s favorite.
TO BUY: The Sporty Runner, Conway
Breaking barriers
Stay on top of your daily fitness goals with Garmin’s newest tracking device: the Forerunner 35, which tracks distance, pace, sleep, calories and more. Smartphone notification features allow runners to control music and connect with others without missing a beat.
TO BUY: The Sporty Runner, Conway