Last spring, for example, a little boy with a rare form of cancer got his wish, a trip to Disney World. He had fun and is now feeling better.

“The update is that he is doing well,” said Ricard, who works at Bangor Savings Bank. “He’s in remission.”

She’s also the chairwoman of the Concord Young Professionals Network, promoting growth and creating networking opportunities for those 18 to 40 years old.

Kayleigh Greene, who owns Legacy Marketing and Design in Concord, nominated Ricard to be a Monitor Hometown Hero in part for her work with the young professionals network.

“In this capacity, Emily facilitates the growth of over 1,700 young professionals in the Capital region, fostering connections, and providing valuable learning and networking opportunities. Her commitment to the development of these young professionals is truly commendable.”

Ricard is a Boscawen native and 2014 graduate of Merrimack Valley High School. She moved to Sunapee for a job in banking before moving to Concord, continuing her work while working for Make-A-Wish and other altruistic programs.

“Her tireless efforts, kindness, and generosity make her an invaluable asset to the community of Concord,” Greene wrote.

Through Make-A-Wish, she plans entire trips and even accompanies the children to the airport for takeoff.

“You build the wish,” Ricard said. “We can take it fast or we can take it slow. Sometimes we can raise the money and get it done within a few weeks. Other times it could be a few months.”

Ricard said Make-A-Wish always raised enough money in her experience to afford any gift request.

“A trip to Hawaii,” Ricard said, “a new tree house, a pool, a trampoline, campers, a dog.”

Elsewhere, Ricard also works in the Circle Program, which pairs low-income girls with mentors. The girls attend a summer camp.
“It’s like the little sister-big sister program,” Ricard noted.

As someone who appreciates local history, and is a Concord-area native, Ricard enjoys finding the often-looked-over nooks and crannies around the city that most pass by each day without a thought.

“There are hidden gems,” Ricard said. “And a Concord native won’t know about it until you’re exposed.”

She cited the leftover advertisement on Depot Street that says “Depot Iron Store” in white paint on a brick wall, with an index finger pointing and the letters in the word “Office” descending downward like a staircase. And then there’s the “Gold Medal Flower” ad painted downtown, near Bagel Works.

“Ghost signs,” Ricard called the painted ads. “We use billboards, but they used to have painted ads on the sides of buildings. Very nostalgic. I love them.”