Project Sanctuary, a Pagosa Springs-based nonprofit dedicated to helping military families heal and thrive, has been selected as a finalist in the 2025 Defender Service Awards.
The organization is competing in the Veteran and Civil Servant category, a recognition that honors groups making extraordinary contributions to their communities.
As a finalist, Project Sanctuary has already earned $5,000. With the support of public voting, it has the chance to win a custom Land Rover Defender 130 vehicle and an additional $30,000 to strengthen its mission.
At the heart of Project Sanctuary’s work are therapeutic retreats that bring military families together to reconnect, recover and thrive. But, the work isn’t easy and it requires vehicles that can handle the rugged mountain terrain of Colorado and beyond.
“Our current vehicles have over 200,000 miles and are no longer reliable,” said Heather E. Ray, founder and CEO. “Yet we depend on them every day to pick families up from the Durango airport — 90 miles away — to haul gear and supplies through dirt roads, and to get families to essential outdoor therapy activities.”
The new vehicle would allow staff to:
• Transport veterans, military families and first responders safely and reliably.
• Operate year-round in all weather and conditions.
• Support retreats in partnership with groups like the Chip Terry Fund and Shield of Sisters.
At Patriot Pines, Project Sanctuary welcomes military families and first responders for retreats that include shared meals, outdoor activities and a safe place to heal together. A dependable vehicle would ensure no family is left behind, no matter the weather, the road or the challenge.
“This vehicle wouldn’t just serve us,” said Heather. “It would serve hundreds of families every year, helping us grow from simply maintaining what we have to scaling what we offer.”
Project Sanctuary is calling on the community to help make this vision a reality. By voting daily through Oct. 19, supporters can bring home the Defender Service Award and help ensure military families have the resources they need to heal.
Vote daily at https://www.landroverusa.com/experiences/events-and-sponsorships/defender-service-awards/index.html.
