Tuesday, May 17, 2011

There is a SHEro in Our Neighborhood

SHEro AWARD RECIPIENT DONNA JONES

On Sunday, May 15, 2011, our very own Donna Jones was awarded the annual SHEro Award from Senator Curren D. Price, Jr. (26th Senate District). Donna was one of 26 women who received the honor based on her demonstrated leadership, volunteerism and commitment to her community. During the ceremony, Donna received her SHEro Award from Senator Price himself and was praised by Michaela Periera from KTLA-TV's Morning Show.

Said Michaela regarding Donna, "Donna is described by the residents of West Adams Avenues as a force of nature. Her primary strength is somehow managing the endless "to do" list of her community, with extraordinary efficiency. She is their air traffic controller, juggling multiple phone calls, texts and meetings all while being dedicated to her job teaching pregnant high school students and raising her two sons."

"Donna's secondary strength is her ability to get others to take on some of the tasks of keeping the Avenues on track, " continued Periera. "If there is a local resident with a talent for anything that would benefit the wider community, she'll find a way to encourage that resident to become a volunteer. And if one of her neighbors has a good idea for improving the area, Donna will back up that idea to the hilt, find out how to get it done, and shepherd the idea through the process of putting it into reality."

On closing, Periera said, "Over the years, Donna has built up and sustained relationships with anyone in the City who can get things done for her community. Donna's neighbors have said that they are in awe of her determination and talent."

Just a sample of Donna's accomplishments:
  • Founder and Current Chair of West Adams Avenues Association
  • Coordinated efforts to bring filming to our community
  • Community Leadership (WAAA, Quality of Life, Park Advisory Board, C-PAB)
  • Park Advocate (participating in the restoration of the South Seas House and spearheading the make-over of Benny H. Potter Memorial Park into a world class ADA destination for our neighborhood and helping to create the upcoming Annex with work out equipment and walking trails)
  • Secured trash cans for the Avenues, which are taken care of by block representatives and not the city
  • Works constantly with Council District 10 and UNNC (Neighborhood Council)
Donna is truly a SHEro.

Congratulate Donna the next time you see her hard at work in the Avenues and our surrounding community.

7 comments:

  1. Our neighborhood would not be our neighborhood without Donna to help keep it moving forward and upward.

    Congratulations and thank you Donna!!!

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  2. Adding to the chorus - Congratulations and thank you Donna!!!

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  3. Good for her. I knew nothing about it. If anyone deserves to be happy it is Donna Jones! It is a thankless job but someone has to do it. How wonderful for Sen. Price to recognize her selfless extraordinary accomplishments to the West Adams Avenues community. Where would WAA be without her continued efforts to keep our community moving forward and fighting the good fight to keep our community great! Thanks for letting us know Jeff.

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  4. Donna climbs mountains, wages battles, builds bridges. All for no pay, and very little glory. She is a shining example of service to her community, and has helped us all have a great neighborhood. She does more in one day for her neighborhood than most people do in a lifetime. Maybe we can drum up some more volunteers so that she can have a day off occasionally? Step up, folks.

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  5. Senator Price, thanks for taking this opportunity to thank outstanding individuals (in this instance, women) in your district. One thing about Ms Jones is that she never looks for public acknowledgement, she could care less if anyone pats her on the back, she just does the right thing because it's the right thing. For example, both her kids are out of school, but she works tirelessly on school issues even though there's nothing in it for her personally.
    What made this award so special is that the Senator and his staff took the time and effort to seek her out, along with the other honorees. Recognition came to Ms Jones, and we're grateful for it. Donna, you rock!

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  6. Truth be told, Donna has her ways and means of getting one involved in grassroots issues. I was a most reluctant volunteer, but Donna made her case so forcefully that I didn't really feel I had a choice! In retrospect, I'm grateful that she signed me up to help deal with local issues. It's rewarding and important. For anyone else out there who has a moment to give to West Adams Avenues, she sure could do with a helping hand. There are so many things yet to accomplish. Give her a call and ask her what you can do. That's the best way of saying thanks to her. Her number is 213 705-3336.

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  7. Hi Donna, thanks for always taking my calls when there was illegal filming on my street. I knew I could call you in the middle of the night, and you would come on over and resolve the situation. I'm glad someone noticed what you do for us.

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