Growing Healthy Veterans Named One of the “30 Heroes in the 30th District” for Its Work Supporting Veterans and Active-Duty Military

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NORTH CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — October 2026 — Growing Healthy Veterans (GHV), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping veterans and active-duty military personnel heal through horticultural therapy, has been selected as one of Senator Adriane Johnson’s “30 Heroes in the 30th District” for 2026 in the Veterans and Active-Duty Military category.

This recognition honors the organization’s work using the healing power of gardening, meaningful service, and community engagement to help veterans and active-duty military recover from the lasting effects of military service and trauma while strengthening the communities in which they live.

Co-founded by Air Force veteran Marshall Fox and horticultural therapy expert Lukan Paulus, Growing Healthy Veterans was built on a simple but powerful belief: growing healthy food can help grow healthier people, stronger communities, and new possibilities for healing.

Through horticultural therapy and hands-on gardening, GHV creates opportunities for veterans and active-duty military to reconnect with nature, develop meaningful relationships, contribute their skills, and find renewed purpose through service to others.

The organization’s mission extends beyond the garden. In North Chicago, GHV is working to transform a community facing limited access to fresh, nutritious food into a place where locally grown produce, community partnerships, and the principle of “Food Is Medicine” can improve lives. Its work brings together veterans, healthcare partners, and community members around the shared goals of healing, nutrition, and service.

GHV is preparing accessible raised-bed gardens at the FHCC Transitional Residences in North Chicago. It also has pending plans to expand to Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, with garden and greenhouse initiatives at its main campus and outpatient clinic, and to the Lake County Health Department North Chicago Clinic, where it hopes to revitalize community gardening.

“Being named one of the 30 Heroes in the 30th District is a tremendous honor for Growing Healthy Veterans and for the veterans whose courage, resilience, and commitment to service inspire our work,” said the Founding Board President of Growing Healthy Veterans. “We believe that healing can take root in a garden. When veterans have opportunities to grow food, connect with others, and serve their communities, they are not only cultivating healthy food—they are cultivating hope, purpose, and stronger communities.”

The recognition also reinforces the importance of looking beyond traditional measures of success to understand the full impact of horticultural therapy: improved connection, renewed purpose, access to nutritious food, and opportunities for veterans to contribute their talents and experience to the well-being of others.

Growing Healthy Veterans is grateful to Senator Johnson for recognizing the contributions of organizations working to support those who have served our country. The honor strengthens GHV’s commitment to expanding its programs and building partnerships that bring the benefits of gardening, nutrition, and community service to more veterans, active-duty military, their families and residents of North Chicago.

About Growing Healthy Veterans

Growing Healthy Veterans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that uses horticultural therapy, gardening, and service to help veterans and active-duty military personnel heal from the effects of military service and trauma. Through community gardens, food-growing initiatives, and partnerships with healthcare and community organizations, GHV works to improve well-being, increase access to fresh food, and build healthier, more connected communities.

For more information, contact

Jeremy Couch, Operations Manager, Growing Healthy Veterans

(501) 316-7175 · www.growinghealthyveterans.org

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