John,

I’m building a campaign that reaches out to voters in every corner of the state. But to do that, we have to hit our goals. That is why we’ve set a goal to raise $1 million online before July 31 – 100 days out from Election Day.

I wanted to share with you a story about why I’m committed to running a campaign that lifts up all Georgians. I hope you will read it, and then make your first donation before our July 31 deadline to ensure we reach our $1 million goal before our fundraising deadline on Sunday.

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My mother was in third grade when she dropped out of her segregated public elementary school with no plans to return. A next door neighbor understood how poverty made this seem like the only choice. Instead, over and over, she encouraged my mom to go back to school.

When my mother gathered up the courage to return to school, she expected to repeat the third grade. But when she arrived, she learned that when she dropped out, one of her teachers wrote a letter to the principal:

“If Carolyn Hall ever comes back to school, move her on to the next grade. She’s smart enough."

Guidance and care from a neighbor, grace and faith from a public school teacher. That’s what worked. My mom went into the fourth grade, and when she became the first in her family to finish high school, she graduated as valedictorian. Eventually, she watched her own daughter also graduate as valedictorian from DeKalb County Public Schools.

That’s the power of a community that cares. Our power and strength as Americans live in our willingness to lift one another up.

Because we do not succeed alone.

In this country, when times are tough, we can persevere because our friends and neighbors will come for us. Our first responders will come for us. It is this mantra, this uncommon grace of community that has driven me to become an attorney, a small-business owner, an author and the Democratic nominee for governor of Georgia.

And while my name may be on the ballot, this election is not about me.

This campaign is about the people of Georgia, who have had to spend too many years with barriers and stumbling blocks between them and the opportunities they deserve.

From now until November, this campaign will have many twists and turns, but one thing will remain constant: I am running for governor to create a stronger Georgia and will work for all Georgians. But I cannot succeed alone, John.

That’s why I’m asking: can I count on you to make your first donation to power our campaign before our July 31 deadline? We have to raise $1 million online to enter the last 100 days of our campaign strong.

Let’s get it done,

Stacey