Vendor fair helps family who lost their dad by Michelle Libby

On June 17, the Dodge family from Windham lost the corner stone of its family unexpectedly at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. Shane Dodge was scheduled to come home that day, according to his wife Cathy. He was 45 years old. 

Vendor Fair incorporates fundraiser

According to his obituary, Shane possessed many endearing qualities like his big smile, a funny sense of humor with a sarcastic twist, along with being warm, kind and sensitive to those around him. He had just started a new job at Anthem, but his insurance, short term disability and life insurance policies hadn’t started when he went into the hospital. 

“So many people have written so many nice things,” said Cathy. “They said things like he made people smile and laugh.” They would have celebrated their 18^th wedding anniversary in September.

Shane and Cathy have three children, Aaron Wright, 22, who lives in California, Anna Dodge, 16, who just graduated early from Windham High School and will be attending Washington County Community College in the fall, and Abby Dodge, 14, who will be a freshman at Windham High School. 

Cathy has been a distributor for Magic Eraser for a few years. The direct selling industry is a close knit community. The vendor fair was already set for Monday night when Shane passed. After speaking to Cathy’s sister, it was determined that the event would become a fundraiser to help the family with all of their expenses. 

“I knew at some point I wanted to do something for the family,” said LuLaRoe consultant, Tonnya Sayah from Windham, who organized the event at the Windham Veterans Center. “Cathy would do this for any of us. I love giving back.”

Through raffles, a bake sale and each vendor donating their commission on items purchased, the event raised approximately $400 for the family. 

“I’m excited and honored to help out a local family. The 31 company believes in giving back to our local communities,” said 31 representative Barb Maurais from Windham.

Cathy also started a job at Prudential in the disability call center last August, but has been unable to go back to work due to the stress of her job. 

“Shane and I try to live right and help whenever we can. We try to teach our children to do the same,” said Cathy in a post to her Facebook friends and family. “It is humbling and amazing to be on the receiving end of all of this love and support. Please go home and hug your family. Call your friends. Make peace with that person you had a falling out with. Visit your neighbor. None of us knows when the last hug, last word, last call will be.”

To help the family, visit www.gofundme.com/ameer-caring-for-cathy