In Grand Junction, Colorado, the Lions Club surprised local advocate Debra Rapozo with its 23rd Hometown Hero Award during a special ceremony this week. Rapozo earned the honor for founding Collar of Duty, a nonprofit that matches rescue dogs with veterans and trains them as vital service animals to support mental and physical health needs.

The Tradition of the Hometown Hero Award

The Hometown Hero Award started in 1999 as a way for the Grand Junction Lions Club to spotlight everyday people who make big differences through quiet volunteer efforts. Each year, the club picks someone whose work often flies under the radar but touches many lives in positive ways. This tradition has grown into a key community event that draws attention to unsung contributors.

Over the years, the award has celebrated a range of local figures, from educators to first responders. The ceremony usually happens at a local venue like the DoubleTree by Hilton, where friends, family, and club members gather to share stories and show support. This year’s event highlighted how one person’s passion can ripple out to help veterans across the region.

The Lions Club uses the award to inspire others to get involved in community service. Past winners have shared how the recognition boosted their drive to keep giving back. With 23 years under its belt, the program stands as a testament to the club’s long commitment to honoring local heroes.

Debra Rapozo’s Path to Advocacy

Debra Rapozo, a wife, mother, and seasoned business professional with over 20 years in management, turned her personal drive into action by co-founding Collar of Duty with her husband Drew. The idea sparked from seeing veterans struggle with issues like PTSD and mobility challenges after service. Rapozo’s background in business helped shape the nonprofit into an efficient operation focused on real needs.

She has poured countless hours into building the organization from the ground up. In interviews, Rapozo often says she never sought the spotlight, but the award feels rewarding because it shines light on the veterans helped by her work. Her hands-on approach includes coordinating rescues, training sessions, and outreach to ensure every dog and veteran pair succeeds.

Rapozo’s story ties into broader trends where family members of service members step up to fill support gaps. Recent events, like the group’s grand opening on Veterans Day in 2024, show her steady progress in expanding services. This award marks a milestone in her journey, affirming the impact of her dedicated efforts.

Inside Collar of Duty’s Mission

Collar of Duty stands out by rescuing dogs from shelters and pairing them with veterans who need service animals for tasks like alerting to anxiety attacks or providing balance support. The nonprofit covers all costs, from training to ongoing care, so veterans face no financial barriers. Trainers selected by the board customize each dog’s skills to fit the individual’s specific challenges, whether from combat or non-combat experiences.

The organization hosted a fund drive in November 2024 to boost resources for more pairings. Early successes include dogs like Freyja, whose paw print even became the group’s logo, symbolizing the personal bonds formed. Collar of Duty works with reputable rescues to ensure healthy, trainable animals enter the program.

Volunteers play a huge role, handling everything from fostering to event planning. The group’s focus on local veterans in western Colorado addresses a key gap, as national waitlists for service dogs can stretch years. By keeping operations community-based, Collar of Duty builds trust and quickens the matching process.

Here are some key benefits of service dogs for veterans, based on common outcomes seen in similar programs:

• Reduced symptoms of PTSD through constant companionship and alerts.
• Improved mobility and independence for those with physical injuries.
• Lower reliance on medications by offering natural emotional support.
• Stronger social connections as dogs encourage interactions in public.

The Award’s Impact and Community Response

The surprise reveal left Rapozo humbled, as she noted in a post-ceremony chat how the recognition validates the hard work of her team and the veterans they serve. Community members praised the choice, pointing to how Collar of Duty has already changed lives in Grand Junction and beyond. Local news coverage amplified the story, tying it to ongoing discussions around veteran support during National First Responders Day.

This honor comes at a timely moment, with rising awareness of mental health needs among veterans. Recent data shows over 20 million veterans in the U.S. face various service-related issues, and programs like this one offer practical solutions. The Lions Club donated $500 along with the plaque, which Rapozo plans to use for more training supplies.

Looking ahead, Collar of Duty aims to expand its reach, perhaps partnering with other regional groups. The award could attract more volunteers and funding, helping scale up operations. Events like this ceremony remind everyone of the power in collective community action.

To illustrate the Hometown Hero Award’s history, here’s a table of select recent winners and their contributions:

As this story of quiet heroism unfolds, it encourages us all to spot and support those making a difference. Share your thoughts on local heroes in the comments below, and spread the word to honor more advocates like Rapozo.