Memorial Blood Centers is proud to present the Golden Pen Award to four amazing volunteers. The Golden Pen Award is a way to recognize volunteers who dedicate their time to writing handwritten notes to donors, thanking them for their contribution to our mission. The following four volunteers have been recognized with this award:
Tom Peitchel and Sharon & John Brusegard have each written more than 10,000 thank-you cards to our blood donors — a remarkable milestone that reflects years of steady dedication. Each handwritten note reminds donors that their decision to give matters, is appreciated, and helps save lives.
For Tom, the project has become a true family affair. His god-grandchildren add colorful stickers to the cards, turning every thank-you into a shared act of kindness and a lesson in gratitude for the next generation.
Roberta’s coordination and leadership make this entire effort possible. She pulls the reports, distributes the cards, receives them back, and ensures they are mailed out on time. She does it all with remarkably good humor and attention to detail, keeping the process running smoothly while allowing others to join in on the work.
The impact of this behind-the-scenes work is undeniable. New donors who are thanked are more likely to return, contributing to a stronger, more reliable blood supply for patients across Minnesota.
We celebrate Roberta, Tom, Sharon, and John for their dedication and for showing how a simple act, repeated with care, ripples out to grow our lifesaving network of donors.
