Cowgers use Service Activities to share compassion

By Amy Howe

Kasey and Lesley Cowger are passionate about serving others. And they are passionate about the Carl Junction community.

“Our desire to help others, to show Jesus to the best of our abilities, and the example set before us from our parents really is the driving force behind any service activity we do,” said Lesley.

Both Kasey and Lesley are rooted in the Carl Junction community and spend countless hours serving others, whether through volunteerism or monetary donations. They have both been blessed with examples of what it means to help others through their families.

“Karen and Larry Cowger have helped many families throughout their lives as well as my parents, too,” said Lesley. “Both Kasey and my parents have set a big example of what it means to serve.”

Kasey and Lesley love the spirit and closeness of the Carl Junction community.

“Most people here really care for each other and cheer each other on,” said Lesley. “The community values our schools and supports the students. I love that! The expectation for success is there and everyone wants to see the other person succeed.”

While they aren’t part of any specific organization, the couple serves where they can, when they can. As a past educator, Lesley has a soft spot for teachers and knows how sacrificially they serve day in and day out.

“We like to do a lot with the Carl Junction schools,” said Lesley. “We have helped out with several church activities over the years. Kasey has volunteered as a coach many times for youth sports. He also volunteers his time to help broadcast sports events throughout the school year and has done this for several years, along with serving on the school board. Their most favorite way to serve others is when they are able to give anonymously to their community. One of their favorite memories was when they were able to get their whole family involved in helping another family that was having a particularly hard time during the Christmas season.

“We were able to find out things the family needed and wanted and wrapped up presents to place under their Christmas tree while they were gone for some treatments,” said Lesley. “I loved doing this so much because not only was it a lot of fun, but my kids still remember doing this and it is one of their favorite times, as well!”

Another way the couple serves is by reading all of the senior applications they receive for the Cowger Family Scholarship – a scholarship established by Larry Cowger to give back to kids within the school district.

“We have some truly amazing students and are so proud of our school,” said Lesley. When Kasey and Lesley aren’t volunteering alongside their family, they are busy being parents to their four children.

“We are in a season of life that is incredibly busy,” said Lesley. “All four of our kids are involved in sports and/or band.”

You will almost always find Kasey and Lesley on the soccer field or in a gym with their kids. In addition to their children’s schedules, Kasey and Lesley both work full time with untraditional hours. Kasey is a mortgage lender with First Community Bank and Lesley is a Realtor with Core Group at PRO 100 Inc., REALTORS.

“Our jobs often bleed over into nights and weekends,” said Lesley. “It is such an honor to have jobs that allow us to serve people! We both, in different capacities, have the honor of helping people and families find, sell or purchase their home. It is such an incredible journey and we love coming alongside and guiding people during such an exciting time in their lives.”

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13105 Kodiak Rd • Neosho, MO • 417.451.1144

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Meet Flora. She’s curious about you and produces magnificent fiber we make into some of the most luxurious and lustrous yarn in the world. She is a Suri Alpaca, and even among alpacas that is a rare breed. Meet her, touch her, hand feed her and the other 49 alpacas at Zena Suri Alpacas near Grand Lake, Oklahoma. Call 804.389.2579 for reservations. And don’t forget Stiggy the Llama. It’s an experience you won’t forget.

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