THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 22, 1995 TAG: 9503210094
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
Seven years ago, as a volunteer, Mary Donnan Harrison sold tickets to the SPCA's annual Celebrity and Pet Fashion Show. This year, she's chairman of the 1995 show, meaning she's charged with raising $70,000.
After the show's finale this weekend, Harrison and her helpers will return to the drawing board within two weeks to begin working on next year's show.
Although she still swears that selling tickets to the event was the worst job she's had with the organization, she loves the behind-the-scenes work and most of all the animals. ``I'm crazy about'em,'' she says.
This year's theme is appropriately titled, ``Animal House'' after the movie.
Full name: Mary Donnan Harrison.
Hometown: Richmond.
What brought you to the Beach? A summer job at U.S. Sales Corp.
Birthdate: Sept. 25.
Occupation: Chairman - 1995 Virginia Beach SPCA Celebrity and Pet Fashion Show.
Nickname: M.D. and Mary ``Dawn.''
Marital status: Widow.
Children: One beautiful daughter, Betsy, a student at the University of Georgia.
What is your idea of a perfect day off? A perfect day offshore.
Last smart thing you did: Married Burt Harrison.
Last dumb thing you did: Went into the retail business.
Favorite meal: Anything but breakfast.
Favorite movies: ``An Affair to Remember'' and anything with Robert Duvall, Al Pacino or Tommy Lee Jones.
Favorite song: ``Where Am I Gonna Live When I Get Home?''
Last book read: ``Kiss the Girls,'' by James Patterson.
Hobbies: Catalog shopping.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My hair. Nobody believes it's natural.
Secret vice: Jell-O shooters.
Favorite restaurant: Chef Rogers - Puerto Vallerta, Mexico.
Your favorite night on the town: Anything involving Carter, David and the boys.
Favorite TV shows: ``I Love Lucy,'' ``TNT Saturday Morning Shootout,'' AMC movies and all talk shows, the trashier the better.
Favorite sport: Lisa's step class, golf, snorkeling and fishing with the ``Swill Sisters.''
Last vacation: Puerto Vallerta, Mexico.
Pets: A sweet, gentle 14-year-old cocker spaniel and, of course, all my pals at the SPCA.
Worst job: Typing pool - Southwestern Life.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Besides my daughter's accomplishments, hopefully it will be the success of the 1995 Celebrity and Pet Fashion Show.
What would you like as your epitaph? At home on Sunday, hope you are, too. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DAVID B. HOLLINGSWORTH
Mary Donnan Harrison
by CNB