An American Red Cross blood drive Dec. 16 at First Mennonite Church in Hillsboro collected 49 blood donations, including two from first-time donors.

Hospitals use donated blood for transfusions during surgeries.

“Hospital patients rely on us, and we delivered,” blood drive co-chairmen Gladys Funk and Shirley Kasper wrote in a letter.

They thanked the donors for helping ensure a stable supply of blood for hospitals.

“We want to thank each of you for being part of this lifesaving experience,” they wrote.