Honoring Courage and Compassion: The Journey of Val's Pals in Supporting Cancer Caregivers
VAL’S PALS, is a 501c3 not-for-profit business, founded by Madonna Schmidt Watters in 2017, as a heartfelt tribute to her sister, Val Schmidt Cauwels, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2016. Inspired by her courage and resilience of her sister and 5 additional siblings who have faced cancer, she was determined to make a difference in their honor. Val’s Pals began with a group of eight determined & dedicated individuals which has today grown to an amazing board of thirteen board members.
Through the unwavering support of fundraising efforts and contributions, we are entering our seventh year of service. Our vision is clear: to honor and support the caregivers of cancer patients, recognizing their significant role during this challenging journey. In our first year we distributed approximately 125 totes filled with essential and emotional support to cancer caregivers. Fast forward to 2023, and we proudly distributed 600 totes, reaching more caregivers and making a greater impact. Val’s Pals remains committed to spreading love, compassion, and hope to those who unselfishly care for cancer patients, ensuring they feel cherished and appreciated every step of the way.
Our board collaborated with great care and consideration to curate totes filled with essential items and those designed to provide entertainment. These totes include a variety of items, such as pens, notepads, toothbrushes, folders for word-search puzzles, coloring books, and even a deck of cards.
Val’s Pals focus is to distribute as many of our heartfelt totes to as many cancer caregivers as possible! It is our passion and goal. These totes are currently hand delivered or sent UPS/USPS to various locations, including the following:
Blessing Cancer Center, Quincy, IL, James E. Cary Cancer Center, Hannibal, MO, Quincy Medical Group Cancer Center, Quincy, IL, University of Kansas Cancer Center, Siteman Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO, Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO, Community Loving Care Hospice, Bowling Green, MO and Florida, Hannibal Regional Cancer Center and Mercy Breast Cancer Center, St. Louis, MO.
We are proud of the dedicated and compassionate team leading Val’s Pals, ensuring the mission to support caregivers of cancer patients is carried out with the utmost care and commitment.
If you would like more information about Val’s Pals for information how to receive a tote, learn more about our organization or to donate, please feel free to contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.valspals.love
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valspalfamily
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 373,
Palmyra, MO 63461
We look forward to connecting with you and providing any further assistance.
Meet Our Board
Val’s Pals is proud of their passionate team leading the way, ensuring their mission to support caregivers of cancer patients. Allow us to introduce them:
Sitting – L to R: Tina Lovelace, Dawnie Jo Lovelace, Madonna Watters (CEO), Lori Maddox (Vice President). Back Row – L to R: Heather McChristian, Susie Gosney, Haley Peter, Whitney Trenkamp, Chris Linder (Secretary), Linda Garner, Karen Gottman, Kell Drebes, Connie Ketsenburg
Together this board brings a diverse range of experiences and a shared passion of supporting caregivers. Their collective expertise and unwavering commitment to our mission have been instrumental in the growth and success of Val’s Pals.
