Bainbridge business raising funds for Susan G. Komen Foundation

The highest bidder will be awarded the trailer and the minimum opening bid is $3,000. The funds raised above the minimum bid will be donated to the Susan G Komen Indiana Chapter. 

Detro Trailers, of Bainbridge, is asking for the public's help in fighting back against breast cancer as the calendar moves to mid-October. 

The business is currently accepting sealed bids until Oct. 26 for a 2025 Sure-Trac 7x14 "Warrior Edition" 5K Utility Trailer. The highest bidder will be awarded the trailer and the minimum opening bid is $3,000. The funds raised above the minimum bid will be donated to the Susan G Komen Indiana Chapter. 

Mark Hoke, website/warranty coordinator for Detro Trailers, told The Putnam County Post the idea of the fundraiser came about as a result of several reasons. 

"So, this all started because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and our manager, Tony Detro, and his wife Pamela (PJ), are battling breast cancer. PJ was diagnosed about seven months ago and currently just finished several rounds of chemo. She is getting ready for radiation treatments. I saw that one of our manufacturers, Sure-Trac, had offered a dealer in another state a pink trailer to use for a raffle to raise funds for breast cancer," Hoke told The Putnam County Post. 

That got Hoke thinking, and he reached out to Sure-Trac without Detro knowing and asked if they could get one built for Detro Trailers to raise funds. 

"They confirmed that they could get us one for the month of October. A Sure-Trac manager, Kevin Bermes, came up with an idea that they could pledge some funds based on our trailer sales for October. So, we ordered the trailer, T-shirts and special decals for the trailer without the manager knowing. In the meantime, Tony saw the pink trailers and called Sure-Trac to order some to sell not knowing that I had already ordered one. On October 4, our sales rep from Sure-Trac, Doug Bowers, arrived at our lot with the pink trailer and we surprised Tony and PJ with our plan," Hoke said. 

The trailer is a 2025 Sure-Trac 7x14 utility trailer with the heavier 5000# axle, according to Hoke. 

"It is a great trailer for side by sides, ATVs, golf carts or most zero turn mowers. If someone wants to bid on it, just come to our office to fill out a slip with the name and address info and the amount of the sealed bid. We ask that customers start at $3,000 so we can make funds above the cost and freight of the trailer, which will be added to what we make from the Sure-Trac pledge to increase our money for the Komen Foundation. Our goal is at least $2,000 and, right now, we are almost halfway to our goal. We chose Susan G Komen because the organization works with all the cancer centers in Indiana to support those affected by this dreaded disease," Hoke said. 

In addition, the shirts are $20 and the special decals are $5, according to Hoke. For more information or to get involved, call Detro Trailers at 765-522-6277.