These are your #LocalHeroes — ordinary people doing extraordinary things in Sweetwater County. This SweetwaterNOW series highlights those often unnoticed acts of kindness to the incredible actions of many in our community.

Navarre Mudd has helped with community and charitable work since he had the ability to walk. Helping alongside his mother at a young age taught him the importance of giving rather than receiving. His early lessons of lending a helping hand inspired him to create the Wrapped Up Christmas Charity Concert, which helps raise funds and toy donations for families in need during the holiday season each year.

The first Wrapped Up concert launched nearly a decade ago and originally was a small show at the Broadway Theater with a handful of local artists and the support of a few local businesses. Tickets for the concert were exchanged for new or gently used toys. Businesses also donated raffle prizes also helped raise cash, which was then given to the Rock Springs Fire Department (RSFD).

“The event was such a success that we knew we had to do it again, bigger and better each year, so we did,” Mudd said.

Since the first concert, the single evening show has now grown into a three-day event over the last decade, which has in turn raised thousands of dollars and countless toys for families in the community.

“As the event grew more and more people from within the city and outside began to reach out about how they could get involved,” Mudd said. “Every year I know I can depend on the community to stand up, get involved with donations, decorations, sound equipment, talent, and whatever else is needed year after year.”

In 2020, Mudd said the event had raised around eight to ten tables worth of toys for the RSFD toy drive. The giving has taught him a handful of important lessons.

“Over the years I have seen people attend this event, bringing in bags of used toys to donate back to others, then found them on the receiving end the next year, which taught me something very important. We never know which direction life is going to move, for or against us, so never look down at someone less fortunate unless you are offering them a hand up, it could easily be your turn next. Do good, be good, feel good. It doesn’t take a lot to make a big difference. It’s not how much you give that’s important, it’s that you give what you can, when you can,” Mudd said.

Mudd added that anyone can choose to make a difference and that it doesn’t take much to be that difference. The people of Sweetwater County have been prime examples, which has inspired him and his family to continue to give with the Wrapped Up concerts each year.

“I’ve never seen people anywhere take so much responsibility for each other’s well being as Sweetwater County does,” Mudd said. “It’s very inspiring year after year to see this. My children and I have adopted a motto around our house ‘If you can’t find a good person then be one.'”

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