Popular TV Host Surprises Utah Man With Gift To Help Navajo Strong

SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah – Navajo Strong is an organization that was started by a Utah County man who takes donations to the reservation to help people there through the pandemic. He recently caught the attention of a very popular TV host.

Mike Rowe was the host of “Dirty Jobs.” He now has a new show on Facebook called “Returning the Favor.”

His team saw a story we did here on KSL TV and decided they wanted to come up with a little surprise to help Navajo Strong.

“Returning the Favor is an incredibly positive show about people who are making changes in their community,” said Lea Whitener, senior producer.

The show is all about surprising people with a gift to help their cause.

Producers find people who are doing good all over the country. On Friday, they found Bud Frazier.

“Talk about an incredible human,” said Whitener. “He’s so kind. His heart is so big.”

Frazier started Navajo Strong back in April after his mother’s aunt and uncle, who lived on the reservation, both died from COVID-19.

“I love the people there,” said Frazier. “I love my culture. I love my history.”

He knew the Navajo Nation needed help getting supplies, so every weekend he collects donations, sanitizes them, loads them on a truck, and drives them five hours to the reservation.

Frazier also spent thousands of dollars of his own money renting trucks.

“And it just hit me, like wow this guy really needs his own truck,” said Whitener.

After interviewing Frazier over Zoom, producers knew exactly how to surprise him. They worked with Larry H. Miller dealerships and bought him a new Ford pickup truck. Then they sent Mike Rowe and a film crew to Saratoga Springs.

“He was interviewing me and said, ‘hey where’s your family?’ And I said, ‘oh they’re about five hours away in Blanding,’ and he said, ‘well I think they’re right behind you,’ and I turned around and looked and there was a truck full of my family,” said Frazier.

Frazier said he was overwhelmed at the gesture.

Whitener said it was more than they typically give, but worth it.

“It was a little above our normal budget for this edition of the show, but it was what Bud needed, and we all felt like we were going to find a way to get this truck for him,” said Whitener.

Now, Frazier can make his weekend trips and not break his own bank.

“I’m just so overwhelmed with joy and happiness, and I’m excited and honored to do what I can to keep continuing to help the Navajo Nation,” said Frazier.

That episode of “Returning the Favor” airs on the show’s Facebook page.

Donations to Navajo Strong can be made on their website.