Senator Hassan Recognizes Alex Ray and Lisa Mure of Holderness, and Susan Mathison and Steve Rand of Plymouth as March’s Granite Staters of the Month

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Alex Ray and Lisa Mure of Holderness, and Susan Mathison and Steve Rand of Plymouth as March’s Granite Staters of the Month. The group of friends started a nonprofit, Common Man for Ukraine, that has raised more than $2.6 million for Ukrainian children impacted by Putin’s unconscionable invasion of Ukraine.

Following the onset of the war, the group wanted to figure out how they could help the Ukrainian people. Through their membership with the Plymouth Rotary Club, Alex and Steve connected with Rotarian leaders in Poland, which was already seeing an influx of displaced Ukrainians fleeing the conflict. Within two weeks, Alex, Susan, Steve, and Lisa were on the ground meeting with Ukrainian and Polish Rotary Club leaders about the needs of local displaced person camps, orphanages, and safe houses for displaced children.

Since returning to New Hampshire, the group has raised more than $2.6 million to purchase 750 tons of food for their partners in Poland. They have also visited Poland and Ukraine three more times to evaluate the changing needs on the ground in coordination with their Rotarian partners. In addition to packing warehouses with essential goods, they delivered those relief supplies themselves to safe houses and orphanages for children impacted by the war.  

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 or click here.

I am honored to recognize Alex Ray and Lisa Mure of Holderness, and Susan Mathison and Steve Rand of Plymouth as March’s Granite Staters of the Month. The group of friends started a nonprofit, Common Man for Ukraine, that has raised more than $2.6 million for Ukrainian children impacted by Putin’s unconscionable invasion of Ukraine.

Following the onset of the war, the group wanted to figure out how they could help the Ukrainian people. Through their membership with the Plymouth Rotary Club, Alex and Steve connected with Rotarian leaders in Poland, which was already seeing an influx of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the conflict. And then Alex, Susan, Steve, and Lisa jumped into action. Within just two weeks, the four friends were on the ground in Poland and Ukraine meeting with Ukrainian and Polish Rotary Club leaders about the needs of local displaced person camps, orphanages, and safe houses for displaced children. 

When the group returned to New Hampshire, they began to raise funds, with the first donation being $500 from the Plymouth Rotary Club. Since then, they have raised more than $2.6 million to purchase 750 tons of food for their partners in Poland. The NH Fisher Cats AA baseball team also hosted a benefit game to raise funds.

The group has not let up in their efforts over the past year. They have visited Poland and Ukraine three more times to evaluate the changing needs on the ground in coordination with their Rotarian partners. In addition to packing warehouses with essential goods, they also delivered those relief supplies themselves to safe houses and orphanages for children impacted by the war. This past Christmas, they brought personal solar lanterns, food, generators, and presents to 21 Ukrainian orphanages, so that the children could experience literal and symbolic light throughout the various power outages. When the Granite Staters arrived with the supplies, the children excitedly came outside in the cold to greet them, and they were able to share Christmas greetings and carols despite the language barrier. The four volunteers bravely returned to Ukraine on the war’s February anniversary to deliver supplies to 14 additional orphanages and safe houses.

The work that Alex, Susan, Steve, and Lisa have done with their nonprofit organization is an incredible testament to the impact that Granite Staters can have, even across the world, when they are helping others. They refused to stand by during a devastating war and the subsequent refugee crisis, instead boldly finding a way to directly help Ukrainian children. Alex, Susan, Steve, and Lisa embody the Granite State spirit of taking on a challenge directly in order to make a real difference, and I know that they will continue to make New Hampshire proud through their work in Poland and Ukraine.

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