Shaw’s 10th birthday party is for the dogs (and cats)

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — It may be the beginning of a trend. For the second time in as many weeks, the Pioneer Times is publishing a story about a child throwing a birthday party to benefit a non-profit cause.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
PET PROJECT — Alexis Miller, 9 of Hodgdon, left, and Jordan Farnham, 7 of Littleton, show off their gifts for dogs and cats that Cody Shaw, right,  requested guests bring to celebrate his tenth birthday. The party last Saturday benefited the Ark Animal Sanctuary. Behind them are various gifts for rescued cats and dogs.
    Cody Shaw of Houlton held his 10th birthday party last Saturday at the Hilltop Bowling Lanes and his invitation requested gifts for the Ark Animal Sanctuary in lieu of presents for him.
    His reasoning for having a benefit to help animals was due to an embarrassment of riches, so to speak. “Since I got a lot of presents at Christmas, I didn’t want so many more. I can’t play with all the toys at once. So I chose to give it away.”
    Cody’s mother, Casey Shaw, said “he got everything from video games to books to Legos to trucks. He just said that he thought it would be better if he could help out. We actually narrowed down the charities we thought would be feasible for us. And, Ark Animal Sanctuary is the one he decided to go with.”
    She added that “he went to Hollywood Pet Salon and interviewed Lorraine Monfils who heads this up. He got all the information about where the animals stay, the types of animals and what they needed for donations.”
    Cody’s friends came through with donations that were lined up on a table. “I got some cat litter and cat food, dog food and some dog toys and cat toys and treats,” said Cody whose actual birthday fell on the following Monday.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
KEEPING THE THEME — Casey Shaw displayed the cat- and dog-themed birthday cupcakes she and a friend made for her son’s benefit birthday party.
    Alexis Miller, 9 of Hodgdon said in addition to an Uncle Willy’s gift card for Cody, she brought him “toys for the animals, cat litter and a cat bucket.” She added that it was a good idea “because it helps animals and I brought him something for himself, so he can have a good birthday, too.”
    In keeping with the animal theme, Cody’s mother and her friend, Leslie Flewelling of Littleton, baked 36 cupcakes topped with dog and cat faces. “Back in October, we figured out how to mold ears and make whiskers and tongues when we made 82 cupcakes for a friend’s grandfather’s birthday.”  
    Cody said cupcakes are easier than a regular cake, since they “don’t have to do all that cutting. And, they created cool things. There are cats and dogs and they’re pretty funny. There’s a cat with claws grabbing a fish.”
    As for the idea of benefit birthday parties, he said he would tell other children to try it. “I’d tell them instead of getting gifts, if it’s after Christmas they could do it. Or, do it anytime.”