Granite Staters Helped Each Other Throughout 2020
This past year was defined by the term “unprecedented.” As a nation — and as a global community — we watched as everything changed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But despite the seemingly insurmountable challenges of 2020, good people stood up and found creative ways to help others.
As a Senator for New Hampshire, I’ve had the pleasure of recognizing Granite Staters who have met this moment with compassion, grace, and innovation.
Each month, I recognize a Granite Stater of the Month. These are outstanding New Hampshire citizens who represent our state’s values and all-hands-on-deck spirit.
While in past years I’ve had the opportunity to meet with these honorees in-person, last week we came together virtually. Honorees had the chance to meet one another, build connections, and share a bit about their work.
Honorees included people like the members of Salem High School’s varsity cheerleading team. One team member, Gabrielle Driggers, decided that she wanted to find a way to bring joy to her grandmother while still maintaining public health guidance. So Gabrielle brought her cheerleading team together and organized a parade for her grandmother and the other residents of Salemhaven Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Students and their families drove by in cars — and Gabrielle’s dad even sported an Easter bunny costume.
Emily Aho of Jaffrey also attended the event. She talked about how she wanted to channel her energy into helping her community after losing her father to COVID-19. She decided to use her position as the Executive Director of the Newfoundland Pony Conservancy to make a difference, establishing Heal the Heroes in partnership with True Hope Therapeutic Horsemanship. The program provides free therapeutic sessions with ponies and horses for health care workers who have experienced heightened mental and physical strain amid the pandemic
And I always enjoy getting to see Carter Manson of Manchester. Carter, who is only five years old, has wanted to be a garbage collector since he was three. One day in April, Carter asked his mom, Kelly, if he could go outside and pick up some trash. Kelly obliged and took some photos, which became a hit online. She created a group called Carter’s Clean Up Crew, and I was thrilled to join them for a community cleanup day in August.
These are just a few examples of the ways in which people have given back across our state this past year — I’ve been incredibly proud of the outstanding empathy I’ve seen the people of New Hampshire display during this challenging time.
If we continue to show compassion, we will make it through this difficult time, and we will be stronger for it. I look forward to continuing to see how Granite Staters give back in the year to come.
Do you know a Granite Stater who should be next month’s Granite Stater of the month? Nominate them here.
