POMONA, Calif. - The Downtown Pomona Owners Association (DPOA), organizer and sponsor of the Pomona Christmas Parade is pleased to announce this year’s Community Heroes. Larry Egan, Executive Director of the Association said “Pomona is fortunate to have so many positive community role models to choose from, which is why the final hero selections were difficult” This year’s heroes are: Pomona Police Detectives Danny Kono and Jennifer Turpin; Donna Dolgovin, Founder of Helping Hands, Caring Hearts; and Tommy Manning, Community Activist.
Danny Kono joined the department in May of 1980 as a Police Officer Trainee and continued up the ranks until becoming a Detective in April of 1992. He spent many years in Patrol and was with the Major Crimes Task Force before being assigned to the Detective Bureau. In the bureau he gained his expertise being assigned to the various crime classes and finally to Homicide where he was one of the primary investigators to help bring the Ethan Esparza case to a successful close. Throughout his career at the Pomona Police Department, Danny was very involved with the community. On June 18, 2010 he retired from the department, but has continued his passion to help those less fortunate.
Jennifer Turpin joined the department in October 1993. She worked in Patrol until April 2000, when she was assigned to the Traffic Division as a Motor Officer. In January 2007, Officer Turpin was promoted to a Police Investigator, currently working Robbery and cold cases. Detective Turpin was one of the primary Detectives responsible for bringing the Ethan Esparza case to a successful close.
Donna Dolgovin founded Helping Hands, Caring Hearts Ministry in 2003 by feeding one man who lived in a dumpster. Soon one hungry man turned into three, then five, then ten. Today the ministry has grown to feeding approximately 150 people every Sunday. Donna learned early on that no other organizations or churches were feeding the hungry on Sunday, that’s why she serves meals on Sundays. Donna serves the ministry tirelessly. The ministry now has a food bank, clothing ministry and even gives out donated pet food to homeless four-legged friends.
Tommy Manning recently helped confront and subdue an unruly and threatening passenger on a long flight from Chicago to Long Beach. The passenger was harassing, spitting, touching other passengers and when he was being subdued he threatened to kill everyone. Tommy removed his belt and with the assistance of other male passengers was able to restrain the angry young man. Tommy and other passengers crowed around the perpetrator and kept him down for the remaining three hours of the flight.
The parade will take place Saturday, December 8 at 10am in Downtown Pomona. The parade theme, “A Golden Christmas,” ties in nicely with the parade’s Grand Marshal Kim Rhode, Olympic Gold Medal Winner in skeet shooting. Many dignitaries, children groups, service clubs, car clubs, equestrian units and military and high school bands will participate. The parade route will end at City Hall where the festivities will continue with Holiday at the Plaza. These are free community events and the public is encouraged to attend. Parade sponsors include American Medical Response, Valley Vista Services, Credit Union of Southern California, GCTI Ambulance, and the Pomona Kiwanis Club. For more information about the parade or downtown events, go to www.downtownpomona.orgor call 909-469-1121.
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