Serving Fellow Military Men and Women Is One Volunteer’s Main Mission
We met Robert Wiggins at Arizona StandDown in 2015 where he recruited about 60 of his Charles Schwab colleagues to volunteer as guest guides to serve homeless veterans in the Valley. He was giddy and proud then for the opportunity to participate in the event. This year, he doubled the number, bringing 120 volunteers.
The mission for Robert is a personal one.
“As a veteran, there were many people along the way that helped me get to where I am now,” he said. I see another veteran in need, I can’t just walk by. I need to participate and get engaged and see where I can help out.”
After serving in the US Army for nearly 10 years, he moved from his base at Fort Jackson South Carolina to Arizona anticipating a job in IT consulting. However, when his onboarding took longer than expected, Robert was stranded across the country with no income or home. The result: he lived in his car for about a month. Ultimately, the job came through and he was able to secure an apartment, but the experience left him with an indelible spirit of service and caring for fellow veterans.
“I couldn’t even sleep last night. I was so excited to be here,” said Robert. “You come in here thinking ‘I’m going to save the world or I’m going to make an impact on somebody,’ but by the time you leave, the impression is on you.”
Thanks to Robert, his colleagues, and thousdands of volunteers, more than 1,800 veterans were connected with the VA, health care, legal and housing services.
Learn more about Project Connect where you can help more of our veterans and community members struggling to make ends meet.
Event Photos
Courtesy of our volunteer photographer, Ed Carroll.
