Graebner Elementary pint sized hero
honored for making a big difference

Graebner Elementary fifth grader Matthew Freigruber joined his parents and the mascot "Buddy the Blood Drop" to receive an award from the American Red Cross for bringing in the most donors at a Southeastern Michigan school blood drive.

Graebner Pint Size Hero Matthew Freigruber has been honored for making a big difference to save lives.

The fifth-grader was recognized by the American Red Cross for being the top student in southeastern Michigan to recruit friends and family to a school blood drive.

"I'm excited about the honor," Freigruber said. "The blood drives are important because they help save a lot of people."

Freigruber got 25 friends and family to the school's blood drives over the past two years. Bridget McCormick, donor recruitment representative for the red cross, said that is the equivalent of saving 75 lives.

McCormick said that Graebner and UCS schools have consistently supported the red cross and its mission to help saves lives. The high school that serves the Graebner community - Henry Ford II - was recently honored as the school with the most successful blood drive in the Detroit area.

"Utica Community Schools has literally saved hundreds of thousands of lives," she said.

Friegruber said it is easy to get donors to the blood drive - just tell all your friends and relatives about how important it is to donate. He also uses his mom's Facebook account to help get the word out.

The next Graebner Blood Drive will be Wednesday, February 1 from 2 to 8 p.m. at the school, 41875 Saal Road in Sterling Heights. Walk in are welcome but registrations are encouraged at http://www.redcrossblood.org and click on the blue "Make A Blood Donation" icon at the top right part of the page. The sponsor code is Graebner.

Donors must be 16 years of age or older.