PPB July 2019

Jeanne Wa l l s vote, since no other woman had even been asked to run in the 90- plus years of our club. It was, by far, the best year of my life. We have made somany changes for the better. I had big “wing tips” to fill as the first woman president. Rotary has truly openedmy eyes to the world. We’ve taken a couple of trips to Costa Rica, bringing books to elementary school kids while doing a duplicate program with a school to Richmond. I have friends from all over the world— like-minded individuals who want to leave this world a better place. Last year, my husband and I took a three-week safari trip to Africa. In the middle of nowhere, we found an orphanage started by Rotarians. We left books, pens and paper, and we sent a suitcase full of undies six months later, delivered by a friend and competitor in the promotional products industry, who enjoyed the same trip with her family. What is Bucks4Boobs, and what inspired you to start this initiative? Bucks4Boobs was probably my favorite fundraising adventure. I lost a very dear friend to breast cancer and my husband lost his first wife to the disease, so raising money to ultimately find a cure became a goal of mine. The first and second year of the fundraiser was held in our backyard. We auctioned off anything and everything we could get our hands on. One poor guy bought a ton of our mess, and asked if we’d take it to Goodwill for him—he didn’t want it! I had silly games, even dug-up plants frommy yard, for sale. We decorated bras. It was a hoot seeing some of Richmond’s finest parading around in bras with peacock feathers, decks of cards and all other kinds of fun stuff. For the next two years, the fundraiser was held at a country club. We raised more money for Susan G. Komen than any other organization in Richmond had for the past three years. When you’re not at the office, what do you enjoy doing for fun? My husband, Dave DeBarger, and I scuba dive, which is kind of crazy, because I can’t swim. We love to travel and are always planning our next adventure. When we first got married, I was working for another company, and I wanted to take a two- week vacation to Alaska. I had the vacation time, but it was “company policy” that I couldn’t take both weeks back to back. Who the devil wants to go to Alaska for just one week? That’s reason No. 458 why I love owning my own business: I don’t have to ask anybody if I can take time off. Our house has an open door for family and friends— it’s the gathering spot in the neighborhood. I enjoy cooking and gardening, so our yard is comfortable and inviting. I’m a southerner, and I love entertaining and trying new recipes, and there always seems to be plenty of people around to eat whatever comes out of the kitchen. And then, there’s Tootsie—our 4.5-pound Shih-poo—who’s spoiled rotten, goes on many of my client appointments, has her photo plastered on the side of my bags and knows all my secrets. I work hard so my dog can have a better life. Danielle Renda is associate editor of PPB. “I have friends from all over the world— like-minded individuals who want to leave this world a better place.” —Jeanne Walls Tootsie, Jeanne Walls’s 4.5-pound Shih-poo, accompanies her to many client appointments. 82 | JULY 2019 | CONNECT