Sandra Burke recipient of Ben and Adith Miller Community Service Tribute

“Sandra has understood all along that helping the folks who need assistance the most would improve the lives of all community members, and she has embodied this work,” wrote Kay Peterson, Bev Speltz and Jen Breitlow in their nomination of Sandra Burke for the Winona Health Foundation Ben and Adith Miller Community Service Tribute.

Sandra received the Community Service Tribute at a dinner held in her honor at Cedar Valley Golf Course on Tuesday, May 13.

Hugh Miller with Sandra Burke. Sandra was recognized as the recipient of the Ben and Adith Miller Community Service Tribute on May 13, 2025.

The Ben and Adith Miller Community Service Tribute is presented by Hugh Miller and RTP Company annually, through the Winona Health Foundation, to recognize a community member(s) for their exceptional generosity of time, talent, spirit or charitable gifts.

During the evening’s remarks, Jerry Papenfuss shared that “Sandra’s success in raising money for the new [Winona Volunteer Services] building will go down as one of the greatest fundraising successes in Winona history.” Jerry concluded that “Sandra exemplifies what a good community leader should be and do.”

Mary Gordon, who was President of the Winona Volunteer Services board and chaired the search committee that hired Sandra, commented, “I’ve continued to see Sandra’s impact as a visionary, leader, mentor, educator, resource coordinator, and often times, near miracle-worker.”

Sandra was also recognized for her additional contributions to the Winona community including her service as a board member for numerous community organizations.

In accepting the honor, Sandra was excited to share how thrilled she was to be nominated and to receive this tribute; she wanted to take it in, embrace it, and look at everyone in the crowd who have supported her work. “I love them to death and I feel their love,” she said.

To Sandra, receiving the Ben and Adith Miller Community Service Tribute meant that somebody had recognized her years of hard work at Winona Volunteer Services. “It’s been a long road, but it didn’t seem like it; because all of a sudden, I’ve got a new [Winona Volunteer Services] building and life is good. Many of the people in this room made the new building possible.” said Burke.

Sandra continued, “Who leads without someone to lead? I have an incredible staff that has been so engaged – look at what we’ve done! In our job, we see people every day who come into our office and need some kind of assistance and a need, and we’re there to provide it. They’re the most incredible people I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with.”

Thanking the Miller family and others who shared remarks during the evening for their kind words, Sandra finished by saying “When I was hired to be the Executive Director of Winona Volunteer Services, it changed my life. What the community had at the time and what the board of directors saw in me, I just knew it would be a grand opportunity. And it certainly has been. I can’t thank you enough for putting your trust in me, your faith in me, and giving me the support I needed to keep going. This will be a treasured night in my memories.”

Hugh Miller, Ben and Adith Miller’s son and RTP President and CEO, presented the award. This is the Tribute’s 37th year.

The family of Hugh and the late Vera Miller and RTP Company generously gave $25,000 to the Winona Health Foundation Ben and Adith Miller Patient Care Fund in Burke’s honor.

In Fiscal Year 2024, 293 grateful people received $451,807 in financial assistance from the fund. Since its inception in 1986, the Ben and Adith Miller Patient Care Fund has helped 8,464 individuals pay more than $16.2 million in medical costs.

Along with the Miller family and RTP’s gifts through the years, ongoing community generosity also makes this fund possible.

Those who would like to make a gift to the Winona Health Foundation in honor of Sandra Burke, may direct their gift to the Winona Health Foundation by mail: 855 Mankato Ave., Winona, MN 55987, or online: winonahealth.org/foundation.

Those who have questions about the Winona Health Foundation may call 507.494.7384 or send a message via email to foundation@winonahealth.org.