“I’ve always said the military needs a boot camp to prepare warriors … But they also need an exit camp,” says Sara Lankler.

Sara and her husband, Alexander “Sandy” Lankler are the founders of The Renewal Coalition – a nonprofit organization in Jupiter to assist wounded service men and women in their transition from military to civilian life by offering a week-long retreat.

“Our guys need a decompression time,” Sara says. So in an effort to provide a relaxing environment, she and Sandy donated their water-front properties.

Four of the Lankler’s beautiful homes overlook the intracoastal water. Side-by-side, each house is delicately encased by tall palms, lush-green landscapes and a revitalizing breeze that seems to permeate the perimeter. The Lanklers have also donated four condominiums for additional retreats.

Sarah attributes the success of the charity not just to her charming residences; but to the skill, talent and organizational skills of Mary Hinton. As former five-term mayor of Jupiter, Hinton had an extensive rolodex of contacts.  She was able to reach out to so many and has turned the coalition into a “community-based program.”

“Our community is absolutely unbelievable in that they give and give,” Hinton says. From food and time, to boats and pool tables, they have received all types of help and donations. “Just when you think they can’t give anymore, another wave of givers come in,” Hinton says.

According to Sara and Hinton, the main focus of the coalition is not just bringing the wounded warrior out to the retreat, but to bring the entire family together, so they can be outside the confines of the hospital. Whoever is on their path toward their healing are welcome.

“We try to provide them with a variety of daily activities,” Sara says. People donating their boats allow for deep sea fishing, salons offering their services give the women a spa day, and people just volunteering in any capacity makes the experience that much better.

In 2012 The Renewal Coalition will offer six retreats  and two fund raising events, one of which will be On Nov. 9. — Dogtags and Dice. The deck will be turned into a casino, where there will be professional gambling equipment, cocktails and food.

The Renewal Coalition is providing the wounded military men and women of our country an opportunity to heal as a family. “What we learned is that healing is honoring them,” says Lankler.