6 One of Us
The Recorder · October 8, 2015
Where are you from originally?
I am originally from South
Carolina but have been here
since 1977.
What brought you to the area?
I came here as a young girl
with a new job. My best friend
lived in Ponte Vedra at the time.
I lived with them until I found
an apartment.
What do you like about it here?
Even though I have lived in
Jacksonville and the beaches, I
always knew this was my home
when I first moved here. My
daddy told me when I moved
here that “I was going to get
sand in my shoes and never
come back home.” That’s exactly
what happened!
How did you get your start at
PVPS? What is your current role
now?
I began working at PVPS in
2006. I am currently in Community Relations.
Tell me about the gift baskets
you made for PVPS?
I actually used to make the
baskets for four years. I then
transitioned into some other
roles here at PVPS. I am still
handling all of the requests that
come from the various charity
organizations that have fundraisers each year. I receive approximately 500 per year — I try not
to say no. The doctors are very
generous to the community.
Tell me about your family.
I am married and have 4 children and 5 grandchildren.
Donna Day
works in community relations for Ponte Vedra
Plastic Surgery – but in her off hours, she has a unique artistic pursuit. Day
creates works of art utilizing seashells. Day then uses proceeds from the sales
of her art to travel around the world, helping women, children and missionaries on the ground in foreign countries. Her passion began during a trip to
China in 2010. “I never thought that I would be one to be going to other nations,” Day writes on her website, www.donnarday.com. “I always envisioned
myself as a sender but not a goer.” Day recently returned to Ponte Vedra after
a trip to China, and sat down with The Recorder to talk about her passions
and her life on the First Coast.
Tell me about how you work with
shells? What other passions do
you have?
I am a shell artist. I have been
making shell art for about 20
years. This year I was one of
the five featured artists at the
78th Annual Sanibel Island Shell
Show. I am also a missionary. I
travel around the world helping
Women and children as well as
the Missionaries that are serving
in other countries. I use the proceeds from my shell art to help
fund my missions. My website is
www.donnarday.com.
— Kelly H. McDermott
The Recorder