Charles Wilgus was known in his community as a local superstar.
He had a natural ability to connect with people and a genuine desire to be involved, help others, and be part of something meaningful. Despite living with Cockayne Syndrome, a rare degenerative condition, Charles approached life with energy, humor, and a deep sense of joy that left an impression on everyone he met.
Mitchell met Charles through the community and stayed in touch with his family over time, offering support where he could. Eventually, that support turned into a close friendship.
They spent time together doing what any friends would do — getting out of the house, trying new things, and figuring out what Charles enjoyed most. That meant exploring different activities, meeting new people, and creating opportunities for him to stay active and engaged.
One of those opportunities was adaptive rock climbing through Catalyst Sports. It quickly became something Charles connected with, giving him a way to stay active, build strength, and be part of a community where he could challenge himself alongside others.
At the same time, Mitchell looked for ways to create meaningful work that matched Charles’ abilities.
Through TLC's for-profit work, which included arborist and tree services, Mitchell had access to a supply of firewood. He used that as an opportunity to help Charles start a small business — “Charles Trailer.” The setup was simple: a trailer stocked with firewood, giving Charles a way to participate in real work, interact with others, and take ownership of something that was his. More than anything, it gave him a sense of responsibility, independence, and pride.
Charles stayed active, connected with others, and continued to be a steady presence in his community — always ready to help, laugh, and be part of whatever was going on around him.
Charles passed away on May 30, 2025, surrounded by his family in Serenbe.
He is remembered for the joy he brought and the lasting impression he left on the people around him.
Meeting Rolly was one of the defining moments that led to the creation of TLC Farm.
Mitchell first met Rolly through his work at Briggs & Associates, where Rolly was one of his early clients. After moving on from that role, Mitchell chose to continue working with Rolly and his family, becoming more intentional about how to best support him over time.
That support took many forms.
Some days were about getting out and trying new things — rock climbing, going to the movies, bowling, traveling, or seeing live music. Other days were more routine — going to the gym, getting a haircut, running errands, or making it to appointments.
There were also plenty of in-between moments — working on the farm, feeding animals, planting and harvesting, building fires, or just spending time together.
Rolly enjoys being out in the world. He loves singing in public, going on shopping trips, eating out, and spending time on the computer. The goal has never been to change who he is, but to support him in staying active, building healthy habits, and continuing to grow in ways that matter to him.
Over time, that has included working toward goals like improving physical health, making better food choices, managing emotions, and building consistency in daily routines.
It has also meant thinking long-term — including plans to create a living environment that better supports his needs as he gets older.
Rolly’s story reflects what ongoing support really looks like: showing up consistently, trying different things, and building a life around what works.
A documentary, The World According to Rolly, was created to capture part of his story, with plans to continue documenting his journey over time.
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