As a daughter and granddaughter of both Veterans, as well as organic farmers and conservationists, I have always felt a deep connection not only to our military but also to nature.
Once I began to study the scientific impact working with plants could have on a person's own healing process, it was like I woke up.
Soon, I also became infor
As a daughter and granddaughter of both Veterans, as well as organic farmers and conservationists, I have always felt a deep connection not only to our military but also to nature.
Once I began to study the scientific impact working with plants could have on a person's own healing process, it was like I woke up.
Soon, I also became informed about the staggering numbers of Veterans who return from service with forms of PTSD, anxiety, depression and other invisible wounds of war.
At that moment, I was convinced that an organization like ours could play a role in helping with the personal healing process in the Veteran community. The rest of our story continues to be written based on the team's commitment and passion to ensuring we are caring for some of the most precious resources we have in the United States.
I'm a candidate for a certificate in Horticultural Therapy through Temple University's Tyler School of Art Division of Architectural & Environmental Design. I am also one of the 2020 recipients of The Linda Ciccantelli Memorial Scholarship presented by the Mid-Atlantic Horticultural Therapy Network.
" My first gardening memory is as a 3 or 4 year-old, in our tiny back yard in Lancaster, PA, fascinated with 4 O'Clocks, those marvelous flowers which don't open till late afternoon.
Later, growing up in farm country there, I helped tend our veggie garden, and hung out on classmates' farms.
Now, garden life is about coaxing veggies and or
" My first gardening memory is as a 3 or 4 year-old, in our tiny back yard in Lancaster, PA, fascinated with 4 O'Clocks, those marvelous flowers which don't open till late afternoon.
Later, growing up in farm country there, I helped tend our veggie garden, and hung out on classmates' farms.
Now, garden life is about coaxing veggies and ornamentals to thrive despite shade - and deer."
By day, Dawn is a TV news producer for the ABC-owned station in Philadelphia, specializing in health & medical stories.
"Before you can tell a good story, you have to listen, inquire, analyze, and empathize."
Dawn has also always dabbled in textiles, color, and design, now as a quilt maker and quilt historian. Dawn is a former board member of American Quilt Study Group and she is a nationally certified appraiser, lecturer, participant in documentation projects, and authorship.
"It's much like forensic detective work. Through it, one appreciates community, the anonymous contributions of women, and how much textiles shaped America."
She is also daughter of a WWII submariner from the Pacific Theater.
Not everyone can say they played with McEnroe and well.....neither can Mark.
But being a father of 3 with a full-time career and an avid tennis player, Mark can say he works and plays as hard as McEnroe.
In his life, he has been lucky enough to work for some great companies such as Merck, Campbell Soup Company, Pfizer, and Astra Zeneca.
Not everyone can say they played with McEnroe and well.....neither can Mark.
But being a father of 3 with a full-time career and an avid tennis player, Mark can say he works and plays as hard as McEnroe.
In his life, he has been lucky enough to work for some great companies such as Merck, Campbell Soup Company, Pfizer, and Astra Zeneca. But the best gig he ever landed was at Pointroll, a rich media technology company, where he was lucky enough to learn the ropes of the role by an amazing woman (who later became his wife) Carolyn.
When not hard at work, he spends most of his time with his kids, playing tennis, practicing lacrosse with his son, watching horseback riding competitions and running with (usually behind) his wife.
He is also active in the community, as a volunteer Den Leader to the local cub scout pack and coaching soccer with Greater Chester Valley Soccer Association.
Kristin Pritchard is a Financial Services Specialist and Onboarding Consultant for xtraCHEF by
Toast where she navigates a suite of back office tools for restaurants, guiding owners through
accounts payable automation and inventory management.
Her primary goal is to increase
overall profitability and curb rising inventory costs.
Prior to tha
Kristin Pritchard is a Financial Services Specialist and Onboarding Consultant for xtraCHEF by
Toast where she navigates a suite of back office tools for restaurants, guiding owners through
accounts payable automation and inventory management.
Her primary goal is to increase
overall profitability and curb rising inventory costs.
Prior to that, Kristin spear-headed the management teams for some of the country’s best chef-
driven restaurants from Cleveland to Philadelphia. She ran front-of-house operations for nearly
two decades, including a dynamic stint as sales and marketing manager, before transitioning
over to a book-keeping role. Her tireless work as a Controller for a well-known hospitality group
was critical in navigating the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
Kristin was born and raised in suburban Ohio, outside the blue-collar city of Cleveland. She
moved to Philadelphia in 2016 and immediately gravitated toward non-profit work. A breast
cancer survivor herself, she volunteered for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and
eventually took on a full-time job in their corporate offices.
Kristin — an amateur gardener, working daily to improve her green thumb — was thrilled to
throw her support behind Heroic Gardens due to her love of country and the armed forces. Her
grandfather served in World War II and her uncles served in the Navy and Air Force, instilling in
her a profound respect for the greatest generation.
In 2022, xtraCHEF by Toast partnered with Heroic Gardens, via Kristin’s recommendation, and a beautiful relationship was born.
Kristin holds a Bachelor of Business Administration: Marketing from Cleveland State University.
She also holds a Certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers, always willing to share her
incredible taste in award-winning wines and fine foods with anyone who wants to break bread
and forget about life for a while.
My first gardening memory is the never-ending daily chore of picking strawberries from our fields and whatever else was ripe from our gardens, all while growing up surrounded by the beautiful state of Maine.
My father always managed to create, and still does, the most beautiful yard and gardens. While I didn’t necessarily end up with hi
My first gardening memory is the never-ending daily chore of picking strawberries from our fields and whatever else was ripe from our gardens, all while growing up surrounded by the beautiful state of Maine.
My father always managed to create, and still does, the most beautiful yard and gardens. While I didn’t necessarily end up with his green thumb, I love working in our yard and I am a firm believer that a beautiful natural space around your home – or anywhere where you can enjoy it - makes life so much better.
I married a military guy. My husband, AJ, followed in the footsteps of his father, uncle and grandfather, all who served in the U.S. Military. AJ continues to serve the public, though no longer as active military but as a first responder. Probably as a result of this,
I feel a special connection to Heroic Gardens mission and the veteran’s who have done so much for us. Together with my family, I gain satisfaction from the project work with which I am involved with HG. As we wrap up one transformation, I can’t wait to start the next and see the joy in the eyes of those who will benefit from the work.
As a family, we are avid supporters of our local Boy Scouts troop in which our boys are both active, we volunteer with a local animal rescue and I serve as the Treasurer of our local High School’s Track & Field Booster’s club. For fun, our family loves to travel. We have visited close to 150 U.S. National Park sites to date with our two (now teenage sons) who are tiring of us rapidly. My photos from those trips always include some of the local flora for my “favorites” file.
As for my day job, I am the Chief Operating Officer at Your Part-Time Controller, LLC, a firm specializing in providing accounting services to nonprofit organizations. I started with YPTC in 2005 after spending several years in the hospitality and manufacturing industries.
When I found YPTC, I decided that working with nonprofits was where I belonged, and I hope to stay with the firm until I retire at an early age.
Thom Starke, a decorated US Army Officer and combat Veteran, is a graduate of Springfield College where he earned Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology/Chemistry. Thom was awarded a US Army ROTC Scholarship and is a Distinguished Military Graduate from the US Army ROTC Officer training program at the University of Massachusetts at Amhers
Thom Starke, a decorated US Army Officer and combat Veteran, is a graduate of Springfield College where he earned Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology/Chemistry. Thom was awarded a US Army ROTC Scholarship and is a Distinguished Military Graduate from the US Army ROTC Officer training program at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Thom's Army service included many leadership positions in the United States and overseas including: Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, Aide de Camp to the Assistant Division Commander of the famed Big Red One, the First Infantry Division and several Command and Primary Staff positions.
Thom is a native of Long Island, New York. In high school he was an accomplished scholar athlete as a wrestler and lacrosse player and was a Co - Captain on several championship teams. He has been a resident of the greater Philadelphia area for over twenty years where he was the Head Coach of a local high school wrestling team and lacrosse team.
Thom has extensive business experience in the corporate arena in Sales and Marketing and Service Management. He is currently the Operations Manager of 2 JDOG Junk Removal & Hauling Franchises. Thom is the father of two daughters, Michelle and Kaitlyn.
In addition to his business and military experience, Thom has been actively involved in his community and has dedicated himself to the care of veterans. He has served as a Commander at the local and District levels for the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and has been appointed to numerous positions as Chairman of local and State Veterans committees. Thom has also served as a member of the Veterans Advisory Board to United States Representative Michael Fitzpatrick and United States Representative Patrick Murphy. In 2006, Thom was selected as Veteran of the Year and was awarded the J. Robert Redfern Award by Pennsylvania District 16 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Heroic Gardens is the perfect fit for Thom and he is excited to continue to serve our Nation’s Veterans with the same professionalism and dedication he provided as an Army Officer in service to his country and his past service to veterans and his community.
Paul Kawoczka is the Co-Founder and CEO of Enliven Planters.
Paul grew up in Yardley, PA. He attended Holy Ghost Prep in Bensalem and went on to major in Landscape Architecture at Penn State University.
From a young age Paul was drawn to the natural world and loved the satisfaction of building something with his own hands.
His venture into
Paul Kawoczka is the Co-Founder and CEO of Enliven Planters.
Paul grew up in Yardley, PA. He attended Holy Ghost Prep in Bensalem and went on to major in Landscape Architecture at Penn State University.
From a young age Paul was drawn to the natural world and loved the satisfaction of building something with his own hands.
His venture into Landscape Architecture combined these passions along with his artistic talents. He earned his degree from Penn State in 2011.
After graduation, Paul landed a job in project management at a high end residential landscape company in Annapolis, Maryland. There he gained valuable experience in the design and construction of world class private gardens and homes. Paul enjoyed all aspects of a design project, from conceptual drawings through final construction.
Later, he moved back to the Philadelphia area to join the landscape team at Terrain. There, he honed his skills in sales and absorbed the invigorating atmosphere that the Terrain brand has created around outdoor living. It was during this time that Paul found his true passion, bringing joy to people's lives through experiencing nature.
In 2014 Paul launched Enliven Planters with a college classmate.
Enliven Planters is a seasonal planter subscription service. Four times per year, they refill the planters and window boxes at people’s homes and businesses. Each year Enliven plants tens of thousands of arrangements in the Philadelphia area, bringing a little bit of joy to each home that they service.
Over the years Paul has learned a great deal about the nursery/garden industry, working through supply chains and tweaking the business to scale to where it is today. He is passionate about small business entrepreneurship, a topic his friends and family would agree he can get carried away by.
He is thrilled to offer his expertise and energy to the evolving Heroic Gardens’ initiatives. Paul’s sister is a Major in the US Army and one of his role models. Her success and ceaseless devotion to her military career (a male dominated one at that) has been a daily inspiration for him, especially during the trials of business ownership. He hopes his involvement in Heroic Gardens can bring even a sliver of joy to the lives of the men and women who have served our country selflessly.
Paul lives in New Hope, PA with his wife, Kiera, daughter, Tommie, and their dog, Riggins. In his free time Paul enjoys spending time with his family, trail running, cooking, home improvement projects, and listening to podcasts.
He is honored to be a member of this budding organization.
I’m Philadelphia born and raised and currently work for the city. Through my professional carrier I encountered Heroic Gardens.
I didn’t have much experience with gardening until I met Collie but like fate she set me on a new path. In the time I’ve known her I’ve accomplished and learned so much.
I’ve removed large swathes of bamboo, ripp
I’m Philadelphia born and raised and currently work for the city. Through my professional carrier I encountered Heroic Gardens.
I didn’t have much experience with gardening until I met Collie but like fate she set me on a new path. In the time I’ve known her I’ve accomplished and learned so much.
I’ve removed large swathes of bamboo, ripped two trees out of the ground with my hands, and built a patio but the most important part of all of this has been giving back to the veteran community.
Being a veteran myself, I feel passionate about taking care of my fellow veterans and doing what I can to improve their quality of life.
After having participated in several projects and volunteer events I gladly accepted a position on the Board when offered. For me, this is the next step to take on more responsibilities and give back to the veteran community in new ways.
I’ve always been willing and able to adjust, adapt, and overcome any obstacle in front of me and I look forward to serving as a Board Member of Heroic Gardens.
Robert McManigal is a Washington D.C. attorney with Nixon Peabody LLP in the Government Investigations and White Collar group.
Prior to joining Nixon Peabody, Robert was a member of the armed forces and worked in the FBI as both a Special Agent and Intelligence Analyst. In the FBI, Robert participated in the prosecutions of several hi
Robert McManigal is a Washington D.C. attorney with Nixon Peabody LLP in the Government Investigations and White Collar group.
Prior to joining Nixon Peabody, Robert was a member of the armed forces and worked in the FBI as both a Special Agent and Intelligence Analyst. In the FBI, Robert participated in the prosecutions of several high profile public corruption and fraud cases.
Robert was born and raised in New Jersey. One of his inspirations for joining Heroic Gardens was in memory of his grandfather, a proud retired service member, who maintained an extensive garden in Robert’s hometown.
Robert has fond memories from his childhood of picking and then sharing the produce from his grandfather’s garden with his family and friends. Robert is honored to give back to his community through Heroic Gardens, an organization that would make his grandfather proud.
A husband and father of two, Robert enjoys spending time with his family. When he has a moment of free time he enjoys staying physically active, watching old mobster movies and shows, and listening to Bob Marley and The Wailers with his wife in their garden.
My first job as a teenager was working in a flower shop. I loved the comfort flowers brought to me and
others for many reasons. I’m sure having the name “Violet” helped me get hired.
I continue to love the
comfort of flowers and gardening, a passion passed down from my mother and father. Our family always
had a nice garden in the backyard, a
My first job as a teenager was working in a flower shop. I loved the comfort flowers brought to me and
others for many reasons. I’m sure having the name “Violet” helped me get hired.
I continue to love the
comfort of flowers and gardening, a passion passed down from my mother and father. Our family always
had a nice garden in the backyard, and we ate the harvested fruits and vegetables all year round. I often
took part with other family members sitting around the table of freshly picked vegetables getting them
prepped for mom to preserve for the winter. Mom also often picked and arranged simple bouquets
from our neighbor’s plentiful flower garden to beautify our living room.
Fast forward my college years at Rowan University, I started working in the building/construction
industry while putting myself through college. Shortly after graduating, I got married and had 2 beautiful daughters.
I spent 20 plus years as a sales and design center
manager, selling various types of housing – from multifamily condos and townhomes, luxury country
club homes, active adult and homes designated for affordable housing. I worked for builders including
Toll Brothers, The Barness Organization and DeLuca homes. I took pride in seeing a community
transform from clearing the land to final landscaping of plants, shrubs and flowers.
I decided to make a career change when the real estate market declined in 2008 and used my bachelor’s
degree in communications to take a position as a contract public relations consultant for a firm in
Washington, DC that serviced fortune 500 companies including Ford Motor Company, UnitedHealthcare
and Coca Cola. I handled grassroots public relations and events engaging with communities in the
Northeast, executives, local thought leaders, enthusiast clubs and government officials. I managed
programs for increasing brand awareness through media and community events.
In 2012, I took a marketing manager position with PwC. My role included the strategic planning, project
management and event execution for the firm’s signature virtual and live events including trade shows
and conferences. I collaborated with senior leadership and managers to improve brand visibility and
client relations.
Currently, I work in Global Business Development for Volumetric Building Companies. The company is
working on projects that include multifamily, hospitality, student housing, supportive and affordable
housing in various locations around the globe. We are using modular construction to build the future
and improve lives. Our team, along with our non-profit arm, VBC Giving Foundation, recently completed
a project in the city of Philadelphia. We built a 47-unit apartment building providing housing for
homeless veterans. Heroic Gardens generously donated all of the trees and greenery for the property!
Along my journey in life, I always felt in my heart that I needed to somehow honor my father, a WWII
Navy Seabee Veteran, a gardener, and wonderful Dad. This initiative led me to volunteer in my
community and serve as committee member and now chairperson of the Stratford, NJ Park Commission.
With that responsibility came the challenge of refreshing and maintaining 7 parks on a very low, small-
town budget.
One of the parks is a memorial park for the Veterans in the community. I pondered on
how I could obtain some help getting this park to be a place where Veterans could walk and enjoy the
quietness and quaintness of this little park, on the top of a hill, in the middle of town.
When I lost my job
in 2020, I often visited the park to help me cope with the anxiety and depression I was feeling. My
reflections at the park encouraged me to share this nature and promote wellness for others.
This thought gave me the idea to reach out to Collie Turner, founder of Heroic Gardens, for help. She
brought along 2 of her trusted colleagues. They all agreed to allow Heroic Gardens and its volunteers to
partner with our committee to revive and beautify the Veterans Memorial Park. It is now an annual
event on the Heroic Garden volunteer schedule.
My dad, Henry Longmire, is an angel over my shoulder. I can hear him saying “Great Job Sugar! You are
using the same “Can Do” attitude I used as a Seabee in World War II to help the world around you. I’m
proud of you.”
Heroic Gardens
P. O. Box 5857 Philadelphia, PA 19128-5857
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