Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix) is proud to announce its 10-year anniversary as the leading national nonprofit to provide free event tickets to the military community. Since 2008, Vet Tix has served over 700,000 service members and veterans, distributing more than 4 million event tickets. These tickets, in turn, have helped families to strengthen bonds, reduce stress and build life-long memories.
Vet Tix is a national nonprofit that supports all branches of currently serving military including the Guard and Reserves, veterans of all eras, and their families, as well as the immediate family of those killed in action and caregivers of VetTixers. Vet Tix began in 2008 when Mike Focareto, Founder and CEO of Vet Tix, attended Super Bowl XLII and noticed several empty seats around him. He envisioned filling these seats with US troops and veterans.
“As we celebrate our 10-year anniversary, we are grateful to all of our donors for helping us reach this milestone,” said CEO Mike Focareto. “We especially want to recognize our VetTixers for their service to our nation and continuous support of Vet Tix and our mission. As we look ahead to our next 10 years, we will double down on our commitment to creating meaningful experiences and lifelong memories for the men and women who have served our country, who continue to serve our country, their families and those who care for them. Through our donors and strategic partnerships, we will continue to increase the number of individuals we serve and expand our impact to the military community.”
An idea turned reality is now an organization with thousands of donors who believe in the Vet Tix mission and want to make a difference in the lives of America’s heroes. The Department of Veteran Affairs reports that as many as 56% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans experience reintegration difficulties. Unfortunately, reintegration concerns are not limited to recently returning veterans. PTSD and depression symptoms are still a concern for Vietnam veterans 40 years later, showing that poor reintegration and readjustment have lasting effects.
The VA encourages returning veterans to foster strong relationships and stay active in their communities. The Tickets For Troops program helps the military community to do just that. Vet Tix experiences enrich the quality of life for currently serving military, veterans, military families and caregivers allowing them to rekindle relationships, reconnect with local communities and reduce feelings of stress through entertainment and community activities.
Vet Tix eligibility is verified through ID.me. Once verified, VetTixers can request tickets to events in their area. Since Vet Tix’s founding, more than 4 million event tickets have been distributed to deserving military men and women, their families and their caregivers. Ticket donors range from major venues and ticket distributors, sports teams and everyday citizens who would like to give back to those who have given so much. Vet Tix’s top donor is Live Nation, who has donated over $20 million in concert tickets around the nation.
In addition to the Tickets for Troops program, Vet Tix offers their Hero’s Wish program to service members who have recently returned home from or are on R&R from a deployment, severely-wounded veterans, and families of those killed in action. Through Hero’s Wish, these individuals can request tickets to specific events, providing a once in a lifetime experience. Vet Tix’s mission for these individuals is to alleviate stress and support those who have served our country.
Vet Tix’s continued growth shows the commitment the organization and its staff have to the men and women who have put on the uniform. As Vet Tix continues its rapid growth, the organization will expand its partnerships to reach military members and veterans and inform them about Vet Tix and how they can get involved.
To learn more and to sign up for Vet Tix, visit www.vettix.org. To view the more than 230,000 testimonials from VetTixers, visit the Testimonial Page.
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ABOUT VETERAN TICKETS FOUNDATION
Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix) is a national nonprofit that supports all branches of currently serving military including the Guard and Reserves, veterans of all eras, and their families including immediate family of those killed in action and caretakers of VetTixers. Vet Tix provides free event tickets with a nominal delivery fee to attend sporting events, concerts, performing arts and family activities. Attending these types of community events improves morale and strengthens family bonds while encouraging service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities. Since 2008, Vet Tix has provided more than 4 million free event tickets to over 700,000 verified VetTixers. The nonprofit organization spends over 95 percent back to its programs, giving back to those who have given so much. Visit VetTix.org to learn more, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
