Our inspiration
The founding and mission of Loni's Legacy, Inc. was inspired by the benevolence and commitment of Loni Marie Ferguson who provided essential items, sober activities and mentorship to her friend, Jonathan, on his recovery journey. Loni's legacy and Jonathan's journey is a heartfelt story involving two young people who were friends during some of life's greatest challenges. It’s a story about victory and defeat, life and death, and finally hope for the future in the lives of others touched by Jonathan’s journey and Loni's legacy.
Here is their story...
Loni's and Jonathan's parents have been friends for many years, but the two of them did not meet until they talked on the phone in 2013, and then met in person in 2014 just weeks before Jonathan enrolled in an inpatient recovery program. While Loni and Jonathan would later become very good friends, it was their parents friendship that resulted in their meeting as Loni expressed a desire to help Jonathan through a tough time. Within several weeks of their meeting, Jonathan admitted himself into a state-run inpatient rehabilitation program with Loni’s encouragement and moral support.
During the first few months of Jonathan's 13-month inpatient rehab program, Loni visited with him and often brought personal care items that he needed. After several months, Jonathan was granted passes to go out of the facility. Beginning with his very first pass and every pass thereafter (except one), Loni picked Jonathan up and took him out for sober activities. One of Jonathan's most memorable sober activities was when Loni took him to a comedy show in New York City that featured a very funny comedian. On the drive back to the rehab facility afterward, Jonathan and Loni were laughing so hard about the hilarious jokes that were told, Loni had to pull her car over on the side of the road until they could stop laughing.
Jonathan and Loni shared a lot of other fun activities, including the time Jonathan introduced Loni to his school-aged daughter, and the many occasions that Loni would take her out to have fun with her Daddy. These outings included going horseback riding on the beach, bowling, shopping, and eating at their favorite restaurants, to name a few. The fun times spent with his daughter and new friend while going through a rigorous inpatient rehab program were a great comfort and motivator for Jonathan.
Jonathan successfully completed his 13-month inpatient rehab program and then continued on his recovery journey with an additional 9 months in an outpatient program. He attributes much of his success during his recovery to the help that Loni gave to him.
Loni's and Jonathan's friendship continued over the next 8 years as he went back to school, pursued a new career, got involved in church, and spent time with his daughter. Loni also continued to share a close relationship with Jonathan's daughter as she grew into a lovely young lady.
Then in June 2020, Loni was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at the age of 35. She fought a brave battle for her life over the next 14 months. Loni was blessed by Jonathan and his daughter's love and support during the most difficult challenge of her life. This is how life should be, "helping each other in the tough times."
Jonathan often thinks of the special times Loni shared with him and his daughter and how their friendship had grown over the years. Not long after Loni's passing, Jonathan and his daughter took a lock of Loni's beautiful hair to an ocean setting where the three of them visited before Loni got sick and went to Heaven. Jonathan's daughter, now a lovely young lady facing the dawn of her adult years.., joined her dad in a prayer, and then slowly knelt down and placed Loni's lock of hair in the ocean with the gentleness of an angel. One can only imagine what Loni's reaction would be if she could have seen this gesture of honor and love bestowed upon her memory by her friends. The very locks of hair that Loni had cut off while going through Chemo treatments months earlier was now being set free in the ocean where they had shared wonderful memories during their friendship. A friendship that will continue in eternity... where there are no more goodbyes.
Jonathan has been clean and sober for many years now and is a blessing to his family and friends. Loni was very proud of Jonathan's success in his recovery journey and other accomplishments in his life. She left this world blessed by their friendship and benevolence toward one another.
We, at Loni's Legacy, Inc., appreciate you taking the time to read Loni's and Jonathan's story. Their story is just one example of how helping others experience hope, love and joy on their recovery journey not only positively impacts the life of the one in recovery, but also the lives of their family and friends and many others they seek to help on their recovery journey.
That is how life should be, "helping each other in tough times."