PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Collie Turner’s love and pride for her grandfather’s military service, as well as her love of gardening, led her to found Heroic Gardens. The Elkins Park-based mental health nonprofit introduces veterans to horticulture as a form of personal healing.
“I was very close to my grandfather, and he served in World War II,” she said. “He was a medic and when he came back, he built a huge vegetable garden for his family.”
Turner spent hours in that garden and later realized that besides practicing sustainability, her grandfather was healing himself from the wounds of war. The mission of Heroic Gardens is to help veterans and their families experience the healing power of plants and nature.
“We introduce plants and plant-based activities and help them gauge how they’re feeling, because it is scientifically proven that working with plants can help reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress, PTSD, while increasing mental acuity, bone strength, self-esteem and confidence,” she explained.
Many veterans who have tilled the soils with Heroic Gardens say it saved them from feelings of isolation and despair.
“The first thing we want to tackle is, how do we get you out of your own head,” she said. “Come to us. Let’s talk about plants, but let’s help you peel back who you are and recognize you’re in a safe place.”
Each month, the nonprofit offers more than 20 plant classes across the Philadelphia region for veterans and caregivers. One notable ongoing effort is the Sunflower Project at Pennypack Farm, a community sunflower field managed by veterans.
“No matter their background, their gender, their race, whatever they served our country, we look at them from that perspective,” added Turner. “Thank you for serving our country. How do we help you come back and trust in a society and a community that doesn’t want to forget about you?”
During Black History Month, KYW Newsradio’s GameChangers honors individuals or organizations that have made a significant, positive impact in communities of color in the greater Philadelphia region. View the 2025 honorees here.