Hi John,

We’re in the peak of the summer here in North Carolina, and the heat is reminding me of how I would spend my days as a young girl in Pine Hills.

In the summertime, I would attend two weeks of bible school, play outside with the kids my age, and frequent the produce stand on the corner where the plums were the freshest.

We didn’t have much time for reading, nor was it really on our radar. Until one day I learned that the students from UNC had a summertime program for reading the most books as an incentive. And John, I’ve always said there’s nothing wrong with a little healthy competition.

I wanted to win! So, I set a goal and then I read and I read and I read. That summer sparked my love for literature, but it also taught me a thing or two about competition, setting goals, and reaching them.

With that being said, our mid-month fundraising deadline is Tuesday at midnight, and we’ve almost met our goal of $5,000. Setting goals along the way is the key to victory in the long run – such as taking back the House in 2026. So, John, can you pitch in $10 or anything you can right now? Every single dollar makes a difference.

Thank you,

Valerie Foushee