Charity Spotlight | By Jocklyn Mundy | Photos by Patti Miller
Since 2017, the Healing Warriors Program at Wind River Ranch in Estes Park, Colorado, has offered military members and first responders a rare opportunity: a full week dedicated to rest, reconnection, and renewal with their families. Through privately funded scholarships, participants step away from the pressures of daily life and spend time focused on healing, both physically and emotionally, while surrounded by the serenity of the Rocky Mountains.
Families who attend the program stay in high-quality accommodations and enjoy hearty, ranch-style meals along with a full schedule of outdoor activities. Horseback riding, kayaking, hiking, and guided group sessions are all designed to strengthen relationships and promote emotional well-being. A trained team supports each family throughout the week, helping them process challenges and rediscover balance, hope, and purpose.
The program’s impact has reached families across the country, including here in Central Florida. Several Windermere Police Department officers and other local first responders have attended the Healing Warriors retreat through community-sponsored scholarships. Each year, a group of Windermere residents also volunteers at the ranch, assisting with family activities and group discussions. Volunteers consistently describe the experience as life-changing, witnessing participants return home with renewed clarity and strengthened family bonds.
To expand access for Florida families, the Windermere Police Department Foundation and the Got Your Six Foundation are launching the inaugural Boots & Salutes Fundraiser. The celebration will take place on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at The Pines at Windermere, bringing together community spirit, western flair, and a powerful mission.
Guests will enjoy a cowboy-themed barbecue dinner, lively silent and live auctions, and a special musical experience featuring three Country Artists from the Outlaws & Legends Tour. The evening will blend storytelling, acoustic sets, and interactive moments with the performers, creating an atmosphere that is both spirited and deeply meaningful. Organizers note that the mix of entertainment and purpose embodies the fundraiser’s guiding message: “Boots on the Ground, Hearts on the Mission.”
Local families, including Scott and Anna McIntyre, John and Cindy Fitzgibbon, Joel and Shari Johnson (Joel serves on the WRR board), Dave and Shelly Ogden, and Rod and Erin Rauch are supporting the event. Their collective efforts aim to ensure that more heroes and their loved ones can experience the healing and reconnection this program provides.
Residents who wish to attend or learn more may visit www.bootsandsalutes.org or contact info@bootsandsalutes.org.
