For Debby and Harry Jasper, volunteering isn't just about giving back. It's about having fun, learning new things, and building a community they're proud to call home. Since moving to the Vail Valley full-time more than 20 years ago, the couple has become fixtures at countless events and initiatives, from the Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup races and the GoPro Mountain Games to Hike Wine & Dine, highway cleanups, and serving meals from the Salvation Army food truck during emergency responses.
Because of their dedication and impact across the valley, the Vail Valley Foundation has named Debby and Harry Jasper the 2025 Vail Valley Volunteers of the Year.
"Debby and Harry show up consistently, lead with passion, and make every event better through their presence," said Vail Valley Foundation President Mike Imhof. "They've been instrumental coordinators for our Stifel Birds of Prey and GoPro Mountain Games events for years, but their volunteer spirit extends far beyond our organization. They truly embody the generous, community-minded spirit that makes the Vail Valley special."
How it all began
After spending most of their working lives in Denver, the Jaspers were drawn to the mountains by their shared love of skiing. They purchased a home in Vail in 1994, and when they retired in 2004, they moved to the valley full-time. They immediately began looking for ways to connect with the community.
Their volunteer journey began in 2006 when they walked into Vail’s Golden Peak during the American Ski Classic. They signed up and were immediately hooked on volunteerism.
“We came here because of skiing, so naturally the first thing that would interest us would be the American Ski Classic,” Debby said.
“It kind of grew from there,” Harry added. “Once you are part of the team, you stay with it, because it’s that much fun.”
Since then, the Jaspers have spent countless hours volunteering with organizations throughout the valley.
Building a volunteer legacy
For nearly two decades, Debby and Harry have been cornerstones of the Vail Valley Foundation's volunteer program. Both started on Talon Crew for Birds of Prey, preparing the course for the world's best ski racing athletes. Debby later began coordinating registration—a role she's held ever since for both Stifel Birds of Prey and the GoPro Mountain Games. Harry transitioned to product coordination and eventually found his true calling: forming the Green Team and leading sustainability volunteers.
"Coming from the Seattle area, I've always been passionate about recycling and environmental issues," Harry said. "In Seattle, they were way ahead of Colorado. When I came out here, people weren't even recycling aluminum cans in our office. So, when I was asked to help lead the charge on sustainability volunteers, it was the right position for me."
Working closely with the Vail Valley Foundation and sustainability partners like Walking Mountains, Harry has helped grow the Green Team program across multiple Vail Valley Foundation events. Over the years, the Jaspers have witnessed individuals and businesses come together to make more eco-conscious decisions valley-wide.
“We've seen it evolve with the Vail Valley Foundation, Vail Resorts, the Town of Vail, really everywhere” Debby said. “You see it in the compostable products they use. It has really evolved from what it used to be.”
Serving the broader community
Beyond the Vail Valley Foundation, Debby and Harry have dedicated their time to nearly a dozen organizations across the valley: they helped at Starting Hearts when it was first founded; they assembled gift boxes for kids who couldn’t attend camp at Roundup River Ranch during COVID-19; they have volunteered with the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Hike Wine & Dine, and highway and trail cleanups; Debby volunteers in the infusion and oncology centers at Vail Health’s Shaw Cancer Center; and Harry serves as a volunteer for the Cordillera Metro District. Both began volunteering as Mountain Hosts at Vail 20 years ago and continue to be involved with the guest services program.
Their work with the Salvation Army Emergency Services has been particularly meaningful. For two decades, they have helped serve food to first responders during wildfires and emergencies, sometimes in the middle of the night.
What makes the Jaspers unique is how they approach volunteering as a team. They drive together to events and support each other's roles. Their complementary strengths make them effective partners.
“When you're in the food truck for the emergency services with the Salvation Army, there's room for maybe three of us,” Debby added. “You’ve got to get along, you have to work out a plan, and you have to have a system. We work well together that way.”
The joy of community connection
For the Jaspers, volunteering has become their social life and the foundation of their friendships.
"Most people we volunteer with have a common interest—whether it's skiing or hiking or biking—but they also have a common interest to volunteer and help," Harry said. “All the people we meet through volunteering have that common spirit. It’s a camaraderie."
“You don’t do it on your own,” Debby added. “You're doing it as a unit, and especially if you're part of the coordination efforts, you are doing it all together. You're surrounded by other people, and that's what keeps you going.”
The Jaspers' main motivation to make volunteering such a central part of their lives comes from a genuine desire to support the community that has given them so much.
“I hope we're serving as examples to people because our friends tease us a lot. They say, ‘you guys volunteer for everything!’” Debby said. “But we didn’t want to just come here to retire and ski and hike and bike. We certainly do those things, but it’s about more than that. It’s that altruistic feeling of doing something good.”
Previous Vail Valley Volunteer of the Year recipients:
2000: Kim Bender
2001: David Ozawa
2002: Barb Treat
2003: Dick Pownall
2004: Bill Douglas III
2005: Tenie Chicoine
2006: Fred Hassle & Jim Sanders
2007: Susan Frampton
2008: Kathryn Benysh
2009: Cheryl Jensen
2010: Doris Dewton
2012: Cookie Flaum
2013: Debby Jasper
2015: Brad Ghent
2016: Nancy & Mauri Nottingham
2017: Jan Hiland
2018: Tenie Chicoine
2019: Tom Russo
2020: Joanna Kerwin
2021: Greer & Jack Gardner
2022: Sue & Dan Godec
2023: Sara & Bill Fisher
2024: Kirsten & Bill Zeller
