Senator Hassan Recognizes Georgia Merrill of Brentwood as August’s Granite Stater of the Month

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Georgia Merrill of Brentwood as August’s Granite Stater of the Month. For the past eight years, 14-year-old Georgia has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the New Hampshire Food Bank through her Peach Project initiative.

When Georgia was six years old and driving in a car with her grandmother, she saw a homeless person on the side of the road holding a sign that read “I’m hungry.” It was a moment that stuck with her and inspired her to give back to her community. Georgia – along with her mother Erin, her dad Josh, and brothers Owen and Miles – started holding bake sales, with sales going to the NH Food Bank. Georgia’s parents were touched by their daughter’s commitment to helping those in need and worked with Georgia to take the project even further by spreading the word on social media and getting other families in their community involved.

Now, the project’s various initiatives include making and selling bracelets with proceeds going to the NH Food Bank, holding a food collection, passing out cards to classmates at school encouraging them to donate, and hosting a community holiday concert. In addition, every year they organize a holiday stroll partnering with local organizations and families who commit to decorating a part of the wall -- with all donations from the night going to the NH Food Bank.

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.

To read Senator Hassan’s statement for the Congressional Record, see below.

I am honored to recognize Georgia Merrill of Brentwood as August’s Granite Stater of the Month. For the past eight years, 14-year-old Georgia has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the New Hampshire Food Bank through her Peach Project initiative.

When Georgia was six years old and driving in a car with her grandmother, she saw a homeless person on the side of the road holding a sign that read “I’m hungry.” It was a moment that stuck with her and inspired her to give back to her community. She went home and asked her mom if they could set up a bake sale with proceeds going to people like the man she had just seen on the road.

Georgia – along with her mother Erin, her dad Josh, and brothers Owen and Miles – started holding bake sales, with sales going to the NH Food Bank. Georgia’s nickname is Georgia Peach, and so they decided to name the initiative the “Georgia Peach Project.” Georgia’s parents were touched by their daughter’s commitment to helping those in need and worked with Georgia to take the project even further. Georgia started new projects, and they spread the word about them on social media and got other families in their community involved.

Now, the project’s various initiatives include making and selling bracelets with proceeds going to the NH Food Bank, holding a food collection, passing out cards to classmates at school encouraging them to donate, and hosting a community holiday concert. In addition, every year they organize a holiday stroll partnering with local organizations and families who commit to decorating a part of the walk. The event also includes a bake sale, a silent auction, and live entertainment -- with all donations from the night going to the NH Food Bank.

Since the start of the Peach Project, Georgia has raised more than $66,000 for the NH Food Bank. Her commitment to serving her community at such a young age is an inspiration for all of us. After she saw a neighbor in need, it was clear to her that she needed to bring her community together to do whatever it could do to help. Georgia’s ability to think about the needs of those around her and then act to address them exemplifies the Granite State spirit of generosity, and her work demonstrates that you can always make a difference by getting involved in your community.

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