Cause Celeb highlights a celebrity’s work on behalf of a specific cause. This week, we speak with Tom Wiggin, former soap star and my wonderful father, about his work with Imago Dei Middle School.
Imago Dei Middle School was founded in 2005 in Tucson, Ariz., and focuses on educating children that are poverty stricken. It is tuition free.
Tom Wiggin has made himself known roles on “As the World Turns,” "Guiding Light” and other soap operas, plays and movies. He recently moved to Tucson with his wife Jenn Dumas, and began his involvement in his new community by volunteering at Imago Dei.
Interview By: Anna Wiggin
Q: How did you get involved with Imago Dei Middle School?
Wiggin: We actually met the two women who run the school at a fundraising function for my old prep school. They told us a little bit about the school and we wanted, when we moved to Tucson, to get involved. So I called them, and they were interested in meeting with me.
Q: What is your role with the Imago Dei Middle School?
Wiggin: I’m right now really a volunteer, but I’m going to be on the board. They are putting together a new board, and they want new members on the board to be on it. That looks like what I’m going to be doing.
Q: What is so rewarding about working with this school?
Wiggin: I am always interested in working with young people, and they serve kids from really rough backgrounds. They are really giving them a chance at life. Everything they do is geared toward preparing the kids for the future, making sure they go to college. So it is rewarding really to work with the kids and see how they develop.
Q: Why do you think it is important to a have a school like Imago Dei throughout the United States?
Wiggin: Well, because, many kids come from backgrounds that can’t afford to go to schools that provide this kind of education. This school is a tuition-free school. Kids that might fall through the cracks (and) get into trouble are now actually getting a first-rate education, so they can go on to have a future.
Q. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Wiggin: I don’t think so!