Senator Hassan Recognizes Elliot Perry of Bedford as January 2021 Granite Stater of the Month

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Elliot Perry of Bedford today as January’s Granite Stater of the Month for raising money to build two accessible playgrounds at Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD) locations in Lebanon and Manchester to help improve the experience of children who visit these facilities.

Elliot, a fourth grader at Bedford Memorial Elementary School, was born four months premature and credits the medical professionals at CHaD for saving his life. In an effort to give back to the organization and support other children who visit CHaD, Elliot launched a fundraising effort to build two sensory-neutral playgrounds that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act’s Standards for Accessible Design at CHaD locations in Lebanon and Manchester. Elliot has already raised more than $80,000 for his cause and hopes that these new playgrounds will provide an outlet for any family who wishes to take a break during longer visits, as well as provide a safe space for children of all abilities to play and develop their motor skills.

Senator Hassan launched the “Granite Stater of the Month” initiative in 2017 to recognize outstanding New Hampshire citizens who go above and beyond to help their neighbors and make their communities stronger. To nominate a New Hampshire citizen to be a “Granite Stater of the Month,” constituents can complete the nomination form here.

See below for Senator Hassan’s statement to the Congressional Record honoring Elliot Perry as January’s Granite Stater of the Month.

Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am proud to recognize Elliot Perry of Bedford as January 2021’s Granite Stater of the Month. Elliot, a fourth grader at Bedford Memorial Elementary School and an ambassador for the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD), has started a fundraising campaign to build two accessible playgrounds at CHaD locations in Lebanon and Manchester to help improve the experience of children who visit these facilities.

Elliot was born nearly four months early and given only an 18 percent chance to live. The medical professionals at CHaD worked hard to ensure that Elliot received the best care that they could provide and 121 days later, Elliot went home with his mom and dad.

Since then, Elliot has been one of CHaD’s best ambassadors and has helped raise more than $100,000 for the organization that he and his parents credit with saving his life.

Last year, Elliot launched a new effort to support the patients at CHaD. The 121 Club that Elliot founded aims to raise $121,000 to build two sensory-neutral playgrounds that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act’s Standards for Accessible Design at CHaD locations in Lebanon and Manchester. With the help of his friends and neighbors, Elliot has already raised a little more than $80,000 for his cause.

Elliot hopes that these new playgrounds will provide an outlet for any family who wishes to take a break during longer visits, as well as provide a safe space for children of all abilities to play and develop their motor skills.

Elliot embodies the best of New Hampshire. His drive to help others, along with his empathy and inclusivity, has made an enormous difference, especially for children facing particularly difficult challenges and their families. I wish Elliot the best as he continues fundraising to reach his goal, and I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next.

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