The owner of the local boutique Blue Flamingo, Shannon Cagle, will be trav- elling to Honduras on Nov. 10 with Bridgewater Candle Company. Cagle was selected by the company, which is based out of South Carolina, through a nomination process to participate in their seventh annual brand experience trip. The group, which will be Cagle and the Bridgewater family, will spend three days at an orphanage handing out supplies and getting to know the kids living there.

The candle company’s program, called “Light a Candle • Feed a Child,” started in June 2010 and provides three meals to hungry children for every candle sold. They are nearing their seventh million meal provided since they began over seven years ago.

“I’m most excited about the opportu- nity to really connect and spend quality time with the children at the orphanage,” Cagle said. “My mission is to leave behind all the love, goodwill, and encouragement my heart holds.”

Blue Flamingo will be hosting an event to spread awareness of the trip and its mission. During Tarleton State Univer- sity’s homecoming week, on Oct. 27 and 28, Blue Flamingo will be having special promotions, giveaways and discounts.

Bridgewater wants to raise awareness for the global orphan crisis. According to SOS Children’s Villages, there are 150,000 orphans in Honduras alone. The Chris- tian Alliance for Orphans projects said that there are 17.8 million children with no parents worldwide, and Bridgewater strives to fight hunger of orphaned chil- dren across the world.

Bridgewater partners with Rice Bowls, a non-profit organization also based in South Carolina. Rice Bowl gives out plastic rice bowl-shaped piggy banks and encourages people to fill them with change. Once they’re full, the change is sent back and used to provide food for orphanage partners in eight countries around the world.

If you would like to help the Bridgewa- ter cause, you can donate items for Cagle to take with her to Honduras. They are in need of children’s Tylenol, children’s Advil and underwear in all children’s sizes. Drop off your donations at Blue Flamingo, located at 1166 W Washington Street Stephenville, Texas 76401.

To learn more about the Bridgewater Candle Company, visit their website here.

To learn more about Blue Flamingo, find them on Facebook here or their website.

To learn more about Rice Bowls, visit their website.