WS Chronicle

Paulette Lewis Moore was known for her infectious personality and her loving and caring nature. To celebrate her life and honor her legacy, Moore’s family has started a nonprofit, the LoveUMoore Foundation, with the goal of continuing to spread the love and care Moore was known for. The foundation’s name reflects Moore’s catchphrase, “Love you more,” that she often said in response to people’s good wishes.

Moore, who was better known as Mrs. Paulette, was the glue that held The Chronicle together for 27 years in her role as administrative assistant. She passed away earlier this year after a battle with lung cancer. Moore’s daughter, Shonette Lewis, said the idea for the nonprofit was inspired by seeing how many lives her mother touched. 

“I don’t think I knew how many people loved her until we were at her viewing. To me, there were complete strangers weeping, and so from that point I knew I had to keep her memory alive and continue to spread her love,” she said. 

Lewis said a few weeks later she came up with the idea to start a nonprofit and provide care packages to patients who have been diagnosed and are going through cancer treatment. 

She said when she would go with her mother to receive chemotherapy treatment, she would always bring a blanket because it was cold inside the center. Lewis said the staff does everything they can to make patients comfortable, but their time is limited because of their other responsibilities. 

“When I would go with her for treatment, they would do what they could to make the patients comfortable, but I always thought about how I could make her more comfortable,” Lewis continued. “She battled until the very end, so when she passed I decided I wanted to bring comfort to people who are battling just like she battled. So that’s when I came up with the idea for what I call Warrior Wellness Kits.”

The Warrior Wellness Kits include several items that help patients during treatment and when they return home. Lewis said to find out what to put in the kits, she talked to a close friend who is a breast cancer survivor and coupled that with things her mother needed while going through treatment. 

In addition to a blanket and several other items, the kit also includes a book of affirmations called “Affirmations for Life: Powerful Intention Statements for Wellbeing, Positivity, and Happiness,” the same book Lewis purchased for her mother. 

“Just words of encouragement that they can read while they’re in treatment or while they’re at home, that they can share with other people,” Lewis said when discussing the book of affirmations and the Warrior Wellness Kits. 

“I know it’s simple, a blanket, some reading material, but there was a lot of thought that went into how people could feel if they were able to access these Warrior Wellness Kits. It’s things people can actually use.” 

Currently, the LoveUMoore Foundation is accepting donations to supply the Warrior Wellness Kits. Those wishing to donate can donate a single item for the kit or purchase an entire kit for $40.  

Lewis said the holidays can be hard on those going through treatment so she plans to distribute the kits in early December. 

“Ironically, 2018, it was the Saturday after Thanksgiving that my mom received her diagnosis, so I know the holiday times are really taxing for people who have received the diagnosis or are going through treatment,” Lewis said. 

Lewis mentioned her goal is to distribute 69 kits, one for each year of her mother’s life. 

“I don’t know why that’s just significant to me, I just feel like I want to touch at least 69 people. I’ve been telling people if we exceed that, great. I would love to exceed that, but I have to at least reach 69. That’s my goal.”

For more information on the LoveUMoore Foundation, visit https://loveumoorefoundation.org. To make a donation for the Warrior Wellness Kits, click on the donations tab and click the link to the Amazon Wishlist.