Tempe, Ariz. – As Veterans Day approaches, we would like to share the findings of the first Vet Tix online survey report. The report was designed to help us measure our impact on the military community and focused on Vet Tix member demographics and event attendance. We had 28,500 members respond making it one of the largest veteran surveys of the year.
View Full Survey by Clicking Here.
A Few Survey Highlights
Biggest Reason for Not Attending Events prior to Vet Tix:
Couldn’t Afford It – 79%
Didn’t Find Local Events that Interested Me – 17%
Not Comfortable in Public – 4%
Biggest Reason for Attending Events after Vet Tix:
Can Now Afford It – 53%
Finding Local Events that Interest Me – 32%
Being Around Other Veterans in Public has Helped – 15%
In a 2009 study, as many as 56% of veterans reported difficulties with “social functioning, productivity, community involvement, and self-care domains(Sayer, 2010).”
Without Vet Tix, many of these active duty military and veterans are not able to attend these events because they cannot afford them. Vet Tix believes that attending sporting events, performing arts and family activities with family members provides essential reintegration opportunities for currently serving military and veterans. As stated by our members and through extensive research it is our conclusion that these events have a multifaceted impact, which improves quality of life and mental welfare. Besides the cost barrier preventing these veterans from attending, Vet Tix helps our veterans find events that interest them while attending events with other veterans increases their comfort level.
71% of Vet Tix members have three or more people in their household. 53% of Vet Tix users have four or more in their household. This statistic is significant because many sporting events and concerts are $500 or more for a family of four. Additionally the average Vet Tixer, at least at time of service, had a lower income (enlisted rank) but has a higher financial responsibility with a large household.
Vet Tix services promote veterans attendance to social and community activities.
Events Attended per Year Prior to Vet Tix:
0-2 – 57%
3-6 – 30%
7-9 – 7%
10-12 – 3%
Events Attended per Year After Vet Tix:
0-2 – 33%
3-6 – 40%
7-9 – 16%
10-12 – 6%
The majority of respondents stated that they attended zero to two events per year prior to Vet Tix. After using Vet Tix’s service, there has been a 10% increase in members attending events three to 6 times a year, while the number of veterans attending seven or more events a year has doubled. This is important information considering that social and community activities are key factors in promoting good mental health.
About Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix)
Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation supporting our military community. Vet Tix has provided over 1.6 million free event tickets to currently serving military, veterans and family members of those killed in action to sporting events, concerts, performing arts and family activities. Our military and veterans experience many difficult transitions as they reintegrate into their families, communities, and eventually, into civilian life. Attending events improves morale, strengthens family bonds through shared interests and encourages service members to stay engaged with local communities and American life. In gratitude for their service and to support their reintegration, Vet Tix is dedicated to giving back to those who gave us so much. Donations are eligible for tax deductions. Please visit our web site at www.VetTix.org Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Nina Sayer Ph.D., Siamak Noorbaloochi Ph.D., et al. “Reintegration Problems and Treatment Interests Among Iraq and Afghanistan Combat Veterans Receiving VA Medical Care” PsychiatryOnline.org, June 2010, Volume 61 No. 6.
