by Sue LeLievre, NCCF regional associate for the west

Brett Poirier, a lifelong bicyclist, helped start the cycling trips program at Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) in 1979, which included trips on the Blue Ridge Parkway and other parts of the Great Smokies region.

To mark his 60th year, he wanted to repeat a solo bike trip that he completed in 1982 around the Smokies, camping along the way. This included a week of riding the many hills and beautiful valleys in and around the park — some 300 miles in seven days.Two of his favorite cycling friends from those NOC days 35 years ago were Mervyn Readman and Julia Hunt (along with very young daughter, Jessica).

To celebrate that long and vital friendship, Poirier wants his loop ride to help gather funds through a pledge drive to raise money for the Julia Hunt Scholarship Fund. “I would be honored to take many of you along, in this beneficial way, as I pedal the 300 miles May 28 to June 3,” he said.

The Julia Hunt Scholarship Endowment (administered by NCCF) awards scholarships to Swain County residents with volunteer experience in Swain County who are pursuing a degree at a university or college. The scholarship has been awarded to 22 deserving students since its inception.

WAYS TO GIVE

• Send check to Julia Hunt Scholarship c/o NC Community Foundation, 4601 Six Forks Rd., Suite 524,  Raleigh, NC  27609
• Contribute online here.
• Call (800) 201-9532 for more information on donating to this worthy cause.
• Download this flier to complete and mail your pledge.

Thank you for participating in this worthwhile fundraiser!

All deductions are tax-deductible within the fullest extent allowed by law.