[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 20, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S4625]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       TRIBUTE TO GEORGIA MERRILL

 Ms. HASSAN. Madam President, I am honored to recognize Georgia 
Merrill of Brentwood as August's Granite Stater of the Month. For the 
past 8 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 6 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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