THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 11, 1994 TAG: 9412090245
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Rebecca A. Myers
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
It seems that three-letter acronyms consume Jane Waters' life.
First it was PTA. Now it's PGH.
Some even tease Waters about having a three-letter middle name: Y-E-S.
It seems that Waters doesn't know the meaning of the word ``no,'' which doesn't bother her in the least.
``I was active with my daughter's PTA for six years with her elementary school, and I loved it. I really loved it,'' she said. ``But once they get into junior high school, they don't want Mom up there with cookies anymore!''
So Waters, wife of Sheriff Gary Waters, took her volunteer experience and channeled it into the Portsmouth General Hospital auxiliary.
``My daughter's godmother was a head nurse for 35 years at Portsmouth General Hospital, and she asked me three years ago if I'd be interested in joining the auxiliary since I was getting out of PTA,'' said Waters, who is serving a two-year term as auxiliary president. ``I've only been on the board three years, so I'm like the new kid on the block.''
One of the main goals of the auxiliary is to raise money for essential hospital equipment. They do this through fund-raisers such as jewelry and bake sales, annual projects like the Love Light Tree and proceeds from the hospital's gift shop.
``We ask the administrator to provide us with a list of needed equipment, then the board reviews the list. We don't buy typewriters, office equipment or wheelchairs. We try to focus on large, life-saving equipment,'' Waters said.
Last spring the auxiliary presented a check to the hospital for $30,320 for an operating-room table. That was followed by a check presented in the fall for $27,000 that was used to purchase a diagnostic van for homebound and nursing home patients. Inside, the van is equipped with a mobile X-ray machine and soon it will have a new EKG, both donated by the auxiliary.
``We are just so happy to be able to give this much money,'' Waters said. ``It's in our bylaws of the auxiliary that every penny that's raised through bake sales, jewelry sales, any type of fund-raiser that our auxiliary conducts, every penny is to be returned right back to the hospital.''
The auxiliary, nearly 300 members strong, owns and operates the hospital gift shop.
``Our gift shop presents a check for thousands of dollars every spring and fall. They give a handsome check, sometimes $5,000, sometimes $10,000,'' she said.
Waters, a Portsmouth native and 1966 graduate of Wilson High School, can't pinpoint exactly how many hours she puts into the auxiliary, nor does she intend to keep track. After all, it's a labor of love.
``It's not that much time, really, because we have 24 wonderful, wonderful board members who work very hard. They're dedicated people. Most of them are retired teachers and nurses. We're very proud to have them,'' she said.
Name: Jane Waters
Nickname: None
Neighborhood: Churchland
Number of years in Portsmouth: All my life
Birthplace: Portsmouth
Birthdate: Feb. 6, 1947
Occupation: Homemaker (retired from 20 years of clerical and accounting work)
What other job than your own would you like? Administrative assistant to Michael D. Eisner, chairman, Walt Disney World
Marital status: Married 27 years to Gary
Children: Donna, 13
Fondest childhood memory: Going to my grandmother's in the West Virginia mountains
First concert: Elvis at Hampton Coliseum in 1970
What song or book title best describes your life? ``My Way''
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? A new house for my parents
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Hillary Clinton because I'd like to experience a day as the first lady
Biggest accomplishment: Being the mother of Donna
Most embarrassing moment: Losing the bottom of my bathing suit at Lake Ahoy when I was 8 years old
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I'd be taller
Perfect way to spend the day: A boating trip with my family to Manteo, N.C.
I can't resist: My husband's cooking
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: Didio's
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: My home
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: The perception of being crime-ridden
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
More harmony among the people
Better places to shop
Better schools
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? Easy access to the Chesapeake Bay ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
by CNB