About Jonathan

Jonathan James Arreola was born on December 5, 1984.  Jonathan began walking at 9 months and as a young boy played every sport he could. He played soccer, basketball, baseball, and pop warner football.  In high school, he played football and wrestling and received his black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Jonathan aspired to attend college after high school and  open his own business. He loved being around his family, had a big heart, and was always helping those who were less fortunate. Jonathan believed in always helping anyone in need without judgment, he said “if we don't know their story, who are we to judge anyone, even if we did, we must give from our hearts.”. Jonathan felt the most important thing in life was family and not material things.  Jonathan was a son, a grandson, a big brother, a nephew, a cousin and a loyal friend. I am privileged to still hear from his friends about the kind of heart Jonathan had and how he was always giving to those who were in need. My son was not perfect but he was a perfect human being with a big heart! Although Jonathan's dreams and aspirations were shortened by his passing we are pleased to have the opportunity to carry on his legacy through Jonathan’s Giving Tree.

About Us

     Jonathan's Giving Tree was founded by Marcia Arreola who wanted to provide assistance for those families who have lost a child unexpectedly.  Marcia lost her son Jonathan Arreola at the age of  19 on December 20th, 2003 in a tragic single vehicle accident.  It is her hope that she can provide comfort and healing for those who are experiencing similar pain.  By providing assistance to families during the grieving process she strives to provide hope, encouragement, and understanding to begin the healing process of losing a child.  
     Marcia's journey began on December 19th, 2003.  Her son, Jonathan was on his way to his aunt's wedding and never arrived.  Marcia received a phone call from Jonathan's father informing her that their son had been in an accident.  She immediately left her sister's wedding to arrive at the hospital to find her son in critical condition with head injuries that he could not recover from and ultimately succumbed to his injuries on December 20th at 6:00 am. 
     The story of the accident was printed in the Seal Beach Sun Newspaper. There was a good samaritan who held Jonathan and comforted him until help arrived, whom Marcia later met to thank him for his kindness and his solace.  It was this moment that gave Marcia the will to not let her son's death be just another statistic. She realized she had to work on herself and go through the grief of the loss of her oldest and only son. So it has taken her 15 years to get here. It took all this to see how the loss affected Jonathan's dad and his 2 younger sisters. She wanted to give back after the tragedy of losing her son and changed her and her girls' lives forever.  Jonathan had two younger sisters, Amanda and Andrea who still struggle with the loss of their only brother. Marcia understood that she could help those who grieve because of the lack of resources that were available to her and her family at the time of Jonathan's death.  She wanted to provide the support to those who lose a teen unexpectedly to work through the grieving process. She also knew there were good samaritans out there that would give back and help just as the kind samaritan who stayed to comfort her son while he was dying.  Through tears and pain Marcia has begun her journey with Jonathan's Giving Tree with the desire that other mothers, fathers, and siblings will find hope, encouragement, and understanding during their time of grief.

​

---

Written by: Amanda Arreola
               Jonathan's sister

Sun Newspaper (12.25.03) Article of Jonathan's accident 

Death of a child is tragic and you should not have to experience it alone.  We are here to help, to provide you with resources and information to support you with the grief of losing a child. 

In Memory of Emilia Lomeli 

DONATE