U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Paige Youschak-Thompson of Laconia as December’s Granite Stater of the Month. Youschak-Thompson is known in the Lakes Region for her dedication to volunteer work and bettering the community. She began regularly volunteering while her daughter was in school and now that her daughter is an adult, Youschak-Thompson volunteers five days a week, regularly putting in more than 40 hours.
Being able to help the community brings Youschak-Thompson great joy, and she plans to continue volunteering for as long as she can. She showcases the Granite State spirit of giving every day of the year.
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.
Hassan’s statement for the Congressional Record reads:
"I am honored to recognize Paige Youschak-Thompson of Laconia as December’s Granite Stater of the Month. Paige is known throughout the Lakes Region for her service to different organizations. Although she has always volunteered, she became more active when her daughter was in school, and now, with her daughter an adult, volunteering has become the equivalent of a full-time job. Paige volunteers five days a week for more than 40 hours a week.
Paige will never say no when someone asks for her help. Although she does not have a favorite cause or organization, The Saint Vincent de Paul Society, a local thrift shop, has a special place in her heart since it is where she first started to consistently volunteer. In addition, Paige is especially fond of helping kids in the community, and believes in giving all children a chance, regardless of their income level. She worked with a local boutique to help provide free prom dresses to girls who may otherwise not be able to have one. Paige is also the chair of the community engagement committee for the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction, which helps local children and families in need — it has distributed more than $8 million over the last 40 years to the community.
Paige’s strong pull towards volunteer work stems from her deep and lifelong desire to be a person who helps out and holds space for others. Paige makes other people happy in any way that she can. Being able to help the community brings her great joy, and she plans to continue volunteering for as long as she can.
Paige showcases the Granite State spirit of giving every day of the year, and I am honored to name her Granite Stater of the Month. Especially as we enter the holiday season, I hope that we can all aspire to give our time and support to our community as freely as Paige does."
Read full article in the Laconia Daily Sun, Dec 20, 2023