Renewal Coalition comes to Greenwood!

This past Labor Day Weekend we were blessed with the opportunity to host two USMC service members with their wives at the Inn on the Square in beautiful Uptown Greenwood, SC.  Wesley Oldham, one of the hotel owners, and also a United States Veteran along with his wife, Kathy, have been major supporters and contributors of the Renewal Coalition for several decades now.   It didn’t take them long do decide, that Greenwood, and the Inn on the Square were also going to be involved.

Here’s a little back story on the Renewal Coalition, and a link to their page,“The Renewal Coalition evolved from and is guided by our enthusiasm and sense of gratitude for this country. We are so blessed as Americans and consider it a privilege to offer assistance to those who have given so much in the name of duty.

When our Wounded Warriors return from Iraq and Afghanistan, they can spend months or even years at military hospitals and rehabilitation centers from all over the country. 

Although these hospital stays are life saving and transformational, it is a tedious experience as the healing process takes time. The families of these soldiers are often uprooted from their homes and communities and are relocated to cramped hotel rooms or apartments near the hospitals. The emotional and financial adjustments these families are forced to make are often life altering. These issues are unrelenting. The Renewal Coalition offers a relaxing week where they can step away from the hospitals and small apartments to reconnect and concentrate on just being a family again.

When they arrive, each family settles into their own private ocean or waterfront residences. These residences have been generously donated by Sandy and Sara Lankler with great respect and honor for our military and the individuals who safeguard our freedom everyday. The families are then welcomed with baskets full of items to make their stay just a little more comfortable. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are donated by local residents and organizations. During their stay, the families can choose from a long list of activities that include: deep sea fishing, spa treatments, water slide excursions, jet skiing, sporting events, golf, trips to local attractions or just private time at the beach or movies!”

Obviously, we don’t have oceanfront accommodations, or a beach, but we do have a great lake, and our warriors were able to enjoy it while they were here! Thanks to our dear friends Brian & Sara Pinson.  We spent an evening cruising Lake Greenwood, and enjoyed dinner at the Break on the Lake. The fun didn’t stop there!  The warriors and their wives were the recipients of great seats and parking passes to the Clemson Game donated by our friends at County Bank. We were also able to show them some Southern Hospitality Tailgating ~True Clemson Tiger Style of course ~ with some more help from our friend Heather Simmons Jones and the culinary team here at the Inn on the Square!

We did our best to spoil our couples while they were here and treated them to couples massages, thanks to the incredibly talented, multi-skilled, Bess Park. You can check out some of her upcoming theater talent here!  (She’s also my yoga teacher! Told you she was talented and multi-skilled!)

Each night we joined together as a family and enjoyed dinner and shared in stories and fellowship.  It was a weekend we are proud to have a part in.  Thank you again to each of you who donated your time, talents, and friendship to make this a successful weekend for our Renewal Coalition Members!

If you would like more information on how you can help please contact claire@innonthesquare.net for more information.