Granite Staters Made a Difference This Year
Right before midnight, people across the Granite State will count down as the final seconds of 2019 pass. Together, we will usher in both a new year and a new decade.
This past year has been one of turmoil both at home and around the world. But I have found hope in the immense kindness that I continue to see from people both in New Hampshire and across the country. Our curiosity for kindness and empathy helps us be part of a greater community and moves us forward.
So it’s been a particular pleasure for me to honor a Granite Stater every month who goes above and beyond to serve New Hampshire. They are volunteers and advocates for our communities. And their stories inspire me.
Take for example, Captain Gregory Ferry, a state trooper, who has spent 25 years volunteering with the Special Olympics of New Hampshire. Over the years, he’s built relationships with the athletes and encouraged his fellow law enforcement officers to become more involved.
Another Granite Stater who is making a true difference in the lives of others is Thaddeus “Ted” Luszey Jr., the President and co-founder of Operation Care for Troops. When his son was deployed to Iraq, he and his wife began sending care packages and they continue to send packages today — over 100,000 of them — to deployed service members.
As a high school student, Caroline Dillon found a way to assist others in her community. In her high school’s U.S. History class, Caroline learned about “period poverty,” or people’s inability to afford basic feminine hygiene products. After realizing that some of her classmates were struggling with this, Caroline worked with State Senator Martha Hennessey to introduce and pass Senate Bill 142, which makes it mandatory for every New Hampshire middle and high school to provide free feminine hygiene products.
Erik Becker is not only the face of Groveton High School’s summer lunch program, serving as a “big brother” to students and members of the community, but he also helps run the Black Crow Project, which he co-founded with a few friends to combat the substance misuse epidemic. The group provides support, training, and guidance to those suffering from addiction and organized one of the largest Narcan kit distribution and awareness events in New Hampshire.
Another young woman who is making a big difference is Brooke Mills. In 2014, she experienced a concussion that continues to affect her today. She advocates for concussion awareness and we worked together to establish the third Friday in September as National Concussion Awareness Day.
These Granite Staters make a real difference in their communities. But that all-hands-on-deck spirit is not uncommon in New Hampshire. I’m continuously awed by stories like these and by the compassion I see from countless people across our state. We are a strong, creative, and inclusive place.
So as we approach the challenges of this coming year, let’s keep these examples of our fellow Granite Staters in mind. We can do it if we continue to find ways to understand and connect with the people around us. We can all address challenges and move forward.
Tonight, please be safe as you celebrate the New Year, and when you sit down to finalize your New Year’s resolutions, I encourage you to think about how you want to make a difference, both this year and over the decade to come.
Happy New Year everyone. Let’s work to make it one of unity and progress.
