Joni Roberts
Welcome to JoniStrong.org!
This site has been established in honor of my soul mate for 35 years, my late wife Joni Roberts.
Not only will the site be used to pay tribute to my “little queen,” it will also serve in a special project to get donations for St. Jude
You may be asking…how did all of this come about & why was St. Jude chosen as the charity of record for JoniStrong.org? Here is the backstory:
Joni was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer on June 22, 2015 (one day before her 58th birthday) and fought a valiant battle before succumbing to the dreadful disease on April 12 this year. She was a dedicated employee for the state and could actually be found at her desk working for the health department only six days before her passing.
Although cancer cut her life short, Joni made such a huge positive impact on so many people. She touched so many lives and continues to be such an inspiration…not only to everyone who was blessed to personally meet her, but also to others who continue to learn the Joni Roberts story each and every day.
When I arrived back home from the first vacation I could take for the last 18 months, there was a package on my doorstep from David Johns, whose friendship I have treasured since the late 1970’s. David came over from his Georgia home to attend Joni’s service back on April 15 and wanted to do something special in Joni’s memory.
In David’s package was a receipt for the internet domain (www.JoniStrong.org) and 250 special commemorative JoniStrong.org wristbands. In discussing a potential scenario to pay tribute to Joni and raise funds for a special cause, it was great friend Don Marr who suggested that our effort choose St. Jude as the recipient. When Lori Worley, my close friend from Bristol, Tennessee, for more than 25 years, recently encouraged supporting St. Jude, it reinforced that decision.
Joni and I never had any children of our own. It was a choice we made together because of the hectic career path I had chosen. But, she loved kids so much and became an ‘adopted mom’ to so many youngsters over the years. So, supporting St. Jude with this effort is a natural fit. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance.
The strategy for our effort is to feature historical images and personal stories about Joni on this site (and our official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/jonistrong.org/), while soliciting donations to St. Jude in exchange for the wristbands.
The support for our special project has already been overwhelming and we’re still in our infancy stages. We have been blessed to receive numerous personal tributes and background stories. There are images and videos that even I have never seen before.
As we move forward, we hope you will not only help us contribute content to our site, but you will contribute whatever you can to St. Jude in Joni’s honor.
Thank you and may God bless you!
Sincerely,
Tom Roberts
