Felling Trailers, Inc. conducted its eleventh annual online auction of an FT-3 drop deck utility trailer to benefit a non-profit organization: Pockets of Hope. A winning bid of $5,505.00 won the auction that ended at noon on September 15. The bid winner of the 2023 Trailer for a Cause was Joe Kostreba of Sauk Centre, MN.
Joe, a local contractor, has participated in previous Trailer for a Cause auctions and was the bid winner in the 2021 Trailer for a Cause auction that benefitted the Minnesota Fire Fighters Foundation (MNFFF). Like in years prior, Joe had been watching the auction as the week went along. By chance, he had some downtime just before the auction was set to close, and within the last 2 minutes, he captured the winning bid. A week after the auction closed, arrangements were made for Joe to come and pick up his new trailer.
“I have been fortunate enough that my construction business has been good and busy, and I am grateful for that. As a small business owner, I want to spread that around; bidding on this trailer is one way to do that.”
— Joe Kostreba
The 2023 Trailer for a Cause FT-3 utility trailer was painted custom “Hope Blue” and bared the Pockets of Hope emblem. Several Felling Trailers’ suppliers joined to support Pockets of Hope by sponsoring the trailer build, from lighting to tires and paint. The 2023 Trailer for a Cause sponsors are Trans-Texas, PPG, Dexter, Sealco, Peterson, Industrial Wood (Blackwood), Demco, and Pacific Rim. Felling Trailers wants to help generate awareness about Pockets of Hope, the work they do, the children they serve, and the hope and security their backpacks provide to children. The online auction ran for five days, from Monday, September 11 at noon CST through Friday, September 15 at noon CST, ending with Joe’s winning bid of $5,505. One hundred percent of the $5,505 went to benefit Pockets of Hope!
One week after Joe had picked up the 2023 Trailer for a Cause FT-3, the Pockets of Hope team made the trip to Sauk Centre to accept the donation check. Founders Lisa Schroers, Briana Sjodin, and Jennifer Bruzek met with Felling Owners Brenda Jennissen and Bonnie Radjenovich to present them with the check for $5,505.
“Thanks for an amazing trailer for a cause! We just got this message today from a social worker. The money you raised gives us the opportunity to keep giving out these backpacks!”
— Lisa Schroers
The message read, “I met with a few children at the Child Advocacy Center earlier this week. They have been experiencing chronic homelessness and allegations of physical abuse. When the children saw the bags, their eyes got big, and they had the biggest smiles. They were so excited as they took items out of the bag, one at a time. Each item they took out, the more excited their voices became. When one of the boys took out the bag of shampoos and soaps, he held it up high and exclaimed, “Now I have my own stuff; that’s all mine!” Another child ran to me with a blanket and pressed it against my face, saying, “Feel this; it’s so soft. I’m going to sleep on it tonight.” The children shared, “This is better than Christmas.” Thank you for Pockets of Hope. The bags genuinely make a difference for so many children in our community.”
“Hope gives each person, young and old, the strength to overcome the difficulties and hardships in their life. We are honored to support Pockets of Hope and witness the difference they are making in young people’s lives. God’s work, their hands, keeping hope afloat.”
— Brenda Jennissen, Felling Trailers CEO/President
The 2023 Trailer for a Cause, FT-3 utility trailer (l-R) Joe Kostreba, auction winner, and Brenda Jennissen, Felling Trailers’ CEO.
2023 Trailer for a Cause check presentation to Pockets of Hope Team, (L-R) Jennifer Bruzek, Briana Sjodin, Lisa Schroers along with Brenda Jennissen, and Bonnie Radjenovich Felling Trailers’ Owners.
2023 Trailer for a Cause Sponsors
About Kostreba Contracting
Kostreba Contracting is a family-owned construction business located in Sauk Centre, MN, specializing in new homes, remodeling, and light commercial construction. The company was founded in 1985 by Wayne Kostreba and operated as Restorations by Wayne. In 1997, the father and son team became known as Kostreba Contracting. In 2018 Joe took over full ownership of the family business when his father retired. No job too big or small. For additional information on Kostreba Contracting, contact 320-352-3045.
About Pockets of Hope
Every day, children are rescued from abuse, neglect, and abandonment. These children are confused, scared, and desperate for security and comfort after being separated from family, home, and possessions. Children often enter foster care with nothing. Pockets of Hope provides these children with new backpacks filled with personal care items they need and comfort items they can call their own. Our mission is to give foster children a sense of worth, bring comfort, and provide a light of hope for a brighter future, one backpack at a time. Pockets of Hope is a non-profit organization located in Sartell, MN, serving those wherever they are able to help, in and around Stearns and Todd County and throughout Central Minnesota.
For additional information about the Pockets of Hope, visit www.pocketsofhope.org.
About Felling Trailers, Inc.
Felling Trailers is a family-owned and operated Full Line Trailer Manufacturer located in Central Minnesota. Starting in 1974, Felling Trailers, Inc. has grown from a small shop to a factory and office complex covering over 349,000 square feet. Felling’s pride and differentiation is its customized trailer division. Its engineers utilize the latest Industry-leading design techniques, and its experienced metal craftspeople use cutting-edge technology to turn its customers’ conceptual trailer needs into tangible products. Felling has provided innovative trailer solutions to the transportation industry for nearly 50 years. Felling Trailers’ current capabilities allow them to provide a high-quality product that is distributed across North America and internationally. Felling Trailers, Inc. is an ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certified company, WBENC-Certified WBE company, and an Equal Opportunity Employer.
For more information, contact 1.800.245.2809, [email protected], or visit them on the web at www.felling.com. Follow them on Twitter (@FellingTrailers), Facebook (Felling Trailers, Inc.), and Instagram.
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