Let me tell you about my dear friend, Valarie Brunjes, who I have known since 2008, when our daughters met in kindergarten.

Val has lived with Multiple Sclerosis for over 18 years. She lives as independently as possible with the assistance of her motorized wheelchair, her companion dog, "furry Maya," and also paid and unpaid helpers and friends who help Val with daily activities that have become increasingly more difficult as her MS has progressed.

Several years ago Val's 100+ year old house in Frenchtown was completely renovated to enable her to continue living there successfully, including complete bathroom and kitchen remodels. That was a tremendous blessing where numerous friends and family members rallied around Val to support her financially in this endeavor.

Now I hope her friends and family can rally again. Unable to work due to her MS, Val lives on very limited Social Security funds. She does qualify for some state funds to pay for her helpers, but those funds are capped at a limited number of hours per week. Val needs overnight helpers and her current financial situation makes that very difficult to afford. This fundraiser is to raise funds for Val to "Live Her Best Life", and be able to have additional funds for helpers when her needs go beyond what she can afford through her Social Security funds.

For those of you who know Val, you know what a treasure this woman is. Fiercely determined, wickedly funny, highly intelligent, intensely loyal, and best of all, has the best SMILE in St. Charles County that will brighten anyone's day. Even when she is having a bad day, Val tries to keep smiling and find the rainbow after each storm.  Having Val as my friend has definitely helped me to live my best life, and I am sure many of you feel the same.  Let's all come together for Val Brunjes and help give her peace of  mind to pay for additional in-home helpers so Val can live her BEST LIFE.

This fundraiser will start at $2500  goal - I hope we can blow past that in a matter of weeks, and then bump up to the  next level. This will be open indefinitely, so if you would like to make an ongoing contribution to Val through this site (for example, $20 per month), that would be a wonderful way to contribute to her ongoing need for assistance.

God Bless!
Ellen Gooch