Zaidie Crowe LLM
Editor
Mrs. Patrycja Siewert Towns is a highly energetic professional and inspiring champion of children who do not have the opportunity to enjoy nature. As an accomplished marketing and sales expert, she has worked for over two decades in the natural products, organic foods, and green living industry. It is this extensive experience with trade show production and events in this industry that substantially underpins her amazing success.
First off, Patrycja Siewert Towns is the President and CEO of Alive! Expo. This is one of the largest Green Living, Natural Products Health & Wellness Consumer event taking place in the country. Their mission is “to inspire and encourage individuals to embrace a life of health, wellness, fitness, environmental and green living through awareness of natural, organic and alternative products and solutions, advanced medicine research, education, nutrition, exercise and lifelong benefits of living a green, clean and healthy lifestyle.”
The Alive! Expo provides a stage for local and national companies who specialize in natural and organic products and services to directly connect with thousands of individuals who want to lead “a green, clean and healthy lifestyle.” The event takes place over a weekend in Atlanta, Georgia and has something for every member of the family. Proceeds from this event in part benefit and support the activities of a non-profit organization dear to Patrycja’s heart.
Project Green is an Atlanta, Georgia based 501c3 non-profit organization. It was founded by Patrycja Siewert Towns and Kim Kreiss; two like-minded women in their respect and love of the outdoors. Together both women are committed to making it possible for children to have the chance to experience summer camp with its wide-open green space, and where the possibility of a lifelong friendship with nature can be born.
This non-profit’s mission is to support an annual “Back to Basics” Summer Camp program for underserved children, teenagers and kids in foster care by partnering with existing summer camps and sponsoring the kids to the camps. “Back to Basics” summer camp programs will help teach kids and young people how to be self-sustainable and eco-friendly. They will learn how to interact with one another with an emphasis on building self-esteem and awareness of the environment by ‘incorporating challenging and fun activities’.
Mrs. Patrycja Siewert Towns is also a partner and co-owner of Alive Expo Green Pavilion, a production company for the “Retreat” – an Eco Luxury & Educational Lounge that takes place surrounding Hollywood’s most prestigious red-carpet award ceremonies and events including the Emmy week, Oscar week, at the annual Sundance Film Festival, Palm Beach International Film Festival and others. Proceeds from these events also in part benefit and support Project Green
At this point I am sure that like me you can see a distinct pattern emerging – all roads lead to Project Green. So what is the back story here; what keeps this talented and passionate lady doing so much to make Project Green a national success? During her teens Patrycja moved to the U.S. from Poland. She went on to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Translation from the University of South Florida. In addition to English and her first language of Polish, Patrycja also converses well in German. Together with her husband and 3 wonderful sons, she makes her home in Tampa, Florida.
So now I am even more impressed. In addition to all the work that Mrs. Siewert Towns does, she is raising a young family. Her story is both inspiring and exhausting! When I asked what drives her and where she gets the energy, her answer was instant and simple –
“A deep love for nature, and for kids. It is impossible to ignore how many kids are deprived of the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and develop strong bonds with others that will provide a support system in their lives down the road.”
As we talked, I began to understand how her experiences as a child informed her desire for all children. Summer camps were a natural part of the experience of most children in her native home of Poland. It was not purely a privilege but an integral component of growing up for every kid, if parents so desired. Patrycja Siewert Towns is strongly convinced that children right here in “our backyard” need our support to live quality lives.
“You have to start somewhere and so we have started with Summer Camps. We don’t want to stop there; we want to help every child in the US with whatever their needs are whether that is food, housing, whatever. We want to help kids to flourish.”
All the work that she does together with her co-founder and those who have caught her vision; all the sacrifices she makes, all her drive and passion is fueled by one overriding goal; “For Project Green to be self-funded.” Mrs. Siewert Towns has her heart set on raising half a million dollars in order to put on a Benefit Concert. The funds raised would put the work of the Project on a firm path to achieving its ultimate goal.
Finally, I asked; “What do you want readers to take away from your story?”
“I want them to change their outlook on how they view kids; be more open-minded to helping others, especially our children. Deep down, I believe everyone loves children. If everyone comes together, in the end, our children win – we all win. The mission of Project Green would then become “ours!”
The next fundraiser event for Project Green is the Taste of BBQ Festival on Saturday, October 12th from 10 am to 6 pm in Suwanee, Georgia. This annual Community Family Festival features a Taste of BBQ, Live Music, Local Vendors, Artist Market and a Family Fun Zone with activities for children of all ages. Free admission to attendees. For more information about being a sponsor or vendor please fill out the contact form online at www.projectgreenusa.org or call their office at 770-806-7492.
