Think Pink Women’s Expo aims to create awareness

The American Legion in Dodge Center was packed last Saturday for the first Think Pink Women’s Expo as people came not only to peruse various vendors, but also to support a cause, fighting cancer. 
The event was put on by the Fishin’ to Fight Cancer Dodge County Relay team along with some friends and family of team members. The event raised over $33,000, all of which will go toward the 2016 Dodge County Relay.
Team members Sara Marquardt and Jamie Rink agreed that the purpose of the event was not only to raise money for the relay, but also to create awareness. “It creates cancer awareness and gets people out and about and together,” Marquardt said. Rink added, “It is also to get the community more involved with the relay.” 
Marquardt and Rink got the idea to host an expo as a fundraiser for their relay team a few years ago after attending a similar expo. 
The event featured a silent auction, craft and bake sale and numerous vendors including: Avon, Pampered Chef, Young Living Essential Oils, Herbalife, Mary Kay, Jafra, Scentsy, Origami Owl, Watkins, Lia Sofia, 31 Bags, Norwex, Usborne Books, Tastefully Simple and many more. 
Shoppers could also take a break to enjoy some food, get their make- up done or get a chair massage. 
Randi Wood, of Rochester, attended the event to support one of her friends (Marquardt) and to show her support for the cause, as her mother is a breast cancer survivor. 
“I thought I’d come check it out and get some gift ideas for the holidays,” Wood said. “I think it (the Expo) helps create awareness even though it is not all about it and allows people to come together over the cause.”
Although Wood had not purchased anything when the Dodge County Independent spoke to her, she had her eyes on some jewelry and shadow boxes. 
Marquardt and Rink were not sure what to expect since it was the first year, but described the turn out as “steady.” Around 125 people attended the event, according to Marquardt. 
The Fishin’ to Fight Cancer team was officially formed in 2005 to include all Dodge County employees, but has since expanded to include other members. The team does numerous fundraisers throughout the year including a caramel apple sale, bake sales and sandwich sales at the Relay for Life. Rose Culbertson, one of the team’s founders, says the team was the top fundraiser in 2014 and last year the team came in second place for raising funds.  
Since the team’s inception, the team has raised over $70,000. “Our main goal is to raise money to fund research to find a cure for cancer,” Culbertson said. 
Marquardt said the team would have to see how the event went this year, but the hope is to host the expo annually.