Stillwater NewsPress

Local News

August 7, 2012

Stillwater couple will remember son and help others at Strickland Park event

By Chase Rheam Stillwater NewsPress

STILLWATER, Okla. — A Stillwater couple is set to honor the memory of their son and help others with an event later this month.

Will and Jody Wiggins will hold a day of fun at Strickland Park from 4  to 8 p.m. Aug. 25. The event is free to attend. Donations are requested. Damon Ray Wiggins died March 27 from a form of meningitis, his father said. The 19-month-old had a high fever and was taken to the emergency room March 25.

“That Monday we went into the doctor because our 6-year-old has allergy shots, so he went to see the doctor that he normally sees and receptionists were like, ‘That baby is sick,’” he said. “And so, they had another doctor come and look at him. He was like, ‘We’re going to admit him into the hospital.’”

He was admitted to the University of Oklahoma’s Children’s Hospital and died the next day, he said.

The idea to hold an event celebrating Damon’s life came soon thereafter.

“What had happened was people asked where do we send flowers?” he said.

Flowers were declined, but monetary donations were requested to go toward a good cause.

And with that, the idea for Damon’s Dance was created. The nonprofit organization will help those who are in the process of adopting.

Robin Baker is the Wiggins’ attorney and personal friend. She also attends church with the Wiggins at the Church of Christ in Stillwater.

“I found out about it because right after Damon died, even between his death and the funeral, I got a call from the family representative basically checking to see what we could do as far as setting up a fund or entity to help in lieu of flowers,” Baker said.

She spoke with the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City who assisted them in setting up the fund.

“Adoption is just something that has been on our mind,” Will Wiggins said.

Wiggins said a family member had adopted internationally and the cost was high.

“It shouldn’t be so hard and cost so much money to bring home a child into your life,” he said.

Baker said the event will include a silent auction and various fun activities.

The silent auction will feature items solicited by 10 to 15 fellow church members from businesses in Stillwater and Oklahoma City.

 

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